CONTRIBUTED PHOTO U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield tours the JBS plant in Marshalltown on Thursday. She wanted to see how Marshalltown is pulling through the COVID-19 pandemic and to learn more about how JBS has improved conditions for workers.

U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Theresa Greenfield wanted to see what JBS has done to improve conditions for workers. Greenfield is running against incumbent U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in the November general election.

She toured the facility on Thursday and said the employees and members of the UFCW 1149 were very welcoming.

“They are really focusing on protecting the workers,” Greenfield said. “They are making sure everyone is healthy and safe. I think they have done a good job.”

She said employees of JBS are being supplied with personal protective equipment and are frequently tested to ensure they can work or can return to their jobs. Masks are being worn and social distancing is taking place.

“It is wonderful to see JBS and UFCW come together in a positive way for their workers,” Greenfield said.

She hopes to see a state-wide mask mandate issued and an increased amount of support for health care workers.

Greenfield said unfortunately she did not have time for any additional stops in Marshalltown. Although, she did drive through and see some of the damage caused by the Aug. 10 derecho.

“There is an enormous amount of recovery that needs to be done due to the derecho,” Greenfield said.

She said she has reached out to the mayors in all of the impacted towns to find out what needs to be done.

“One thing they have all asked for is direct support for their communities,” Greenfield said. “We need to look how we can get it to them and how we can help in the recovery.”

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