UFCW mourns the passing of Cargill employee
Posted May 12, 2020 6:07 pm.
Last Updated May 13, 2020 6:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) has released new information on the second COVID-19 employee death at the Cargill plant in High River.
In a release, the UFCW regrettably announced the passing of Benito Quesada, 51.
“It is important to recognize that behind the statistics are hardworking people who have sought to make a living and support their families in Alberta’s meatpacking industry,” said UFCW Local 401 President, Thomas Hesse in the release.
“Our members bring food to the tables of Canadians, but they also have lives outside the plant and loved ones who are now grieving their loss. We join them in that grief.”
The release stated the Quesada began work in the plant in October 2007 and was a union shop steward.
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He worked hard to represent the union for all those employed by the company.
“Benito was a quiet, gentle, and humble man who came to Canada from Mexico to work at the Cargill plant in High River,” said UFCW spokesperson, Michael Hughes in the release.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Benito for the first time at a shop steward’s training course in 2016. We had many conversations since then, and he always told me how proud he was for having been able to bring his family to Canada.”
The statement said Quesada was aware of the COVID-19 risks and was cautious.
“In mid-April, we learned that Benito had contracted COVID-19 and was soon in intensive care,” said Hesse.
“We believe he was in a medically-induced coma on a ventilator for a considerable period of time.
What he and his family must have faced over the past several weeks is unimaginable.
We are working to provide whatever support we can to the family of our brother, Benito. Our whole union grieves this terrible loss.”
