Tyson Foods has requested a COVID-19-related lawsuit concerning 11 meat processing plants be moved to federal court.
The company filed a notice of removal from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in late August, claiming the federal court is a better fit. The lawsuit asserts the case is removable because the petition against the company concerns actions taken by Tyson at the direction of a federal officer, and the petition raises “substantial and disputed issues of federal law under the Defense Production Act.”
The suit against Tyson alleges the company forced workers to show up to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, without supplying appropriate personal protective equipment. Tyson’s notice of removal cites President Donald Trump’s executive order keeping meat processing plants open during the pandemic, as part of their defense.
