Federal jury sides with Tyson Foods

Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc. won a class action lawsuit heard in an Iowa courtroom last week. A federal jury sided with the meat giant in a suit that alleged Tyson did not pay production workers at the company’s pork plant in Louisa County, Iowa for the time needed for them to put on and take off protective clothing and gear required for the job.

Tyson said in an email today (April 30) the jury found that plaintiffs failed to prove their claims and were not entitled to any financial damages. The decision also cited Tyson’s payment practices were in compliance with the law.

Tyson released the following post verdict statement: “We appreciate the time and consideration of the issues given by the jury in this case and are pleased with the verdict. We value our team members and have strived to comply with federal wage and hour laws that are not precise in their description of which pre-shift and post-shift activities are compensable.”

The civil case was filed in 2007 by two hourly workers at the Iowa pork plant. The company said it employs more 1,100 people in Louisa County with hourly wages ranging from $12.75 to more than $15 an hour, while top maintenance pay is $18.75 an hour.