Food Giants Pay Worker Bonuses to Keep Churning Out Meat (1)

Food giants across North America are offering staff working at its meat plants more money as their already-grueling jobs become even more critical during the coronavirus crisis.

Cargill Inc., the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, spam-maker Hormel Foods Corp.and top Canadian food processor Maple Leaf Foods Inc. are offering cash bonuses for plant staff amid a threat of production disruptions if workers start calling in sick due to the deadly virus.

That’s a stark turnaround for an industry that rarely offers even paid sick leave for plant employees. But as shoppers stock up on meat and prepare to stay ...