The North American Meat Institute and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have entered into a two-year alliance to provide training resources aimed at keeping meat and poultry workers safe from COVID-19, although a union representing those workers is questioning the sincerity of the effort.

Under the terms of the agreement, NAMI will work with OSHA to develop information on recognizing coronavirus transmission risks and best practices for preventing transmission, as well as on challenges for exposure control in meatpacking and processing facilities, according to an association statement.

The agreement also calls for outreach to small- and medium-sized meat processing facilities on available guidance and compliance assistance resources.

"Through this alliance, we look forward to working with OSHA to continue our work to protect the health and safety of the men and women who work in meat and poultry facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter," CEO Julie Anna Potts said. "These workers are essential to making food for our nation and are a critical part of our rural economies."

The agreement failed to impress the largest union representing meatpacking workers— the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union—which called it a "shameless" corporate giveaway in a statement to the agriculture newspaper Capital Press.

"This deal is an outrage, and it makes it clear that the Trump administration does not care at all about protecting the brave meatpacking workers helping feed American families," Marc Perrone, the union's president, said.

The agreement with NAMI is part of OSHA's Alliance Program, which allows the agency to develop voluntary, collaborative working relationships with organizations that are committed to workplace safety and health, according to the agency's website. OSHA has entered into alliances with other trade associations, including the American Chemistry Council and Global Cold Chain Alliance.

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