Tyson Foods faces racial discrimination suits in Virginia federal court 

Alvin Clark, 62, and a former co-worker, Matthew Reeves, who were employed in Tyson Foods’ fully-cooked poultry plant in Danville, Va., are suing the meat giant for racial discrimination and wrongful termination.

Clark, who is Black, was hired in July 2024 as a level 8 maintenance mechanic. Reeves, who is white, was hired as a level 5 maintenance mechanic in mid June 2024. Each was terminated on March 26, 2025. The men filed separate suits (Case 6:26-cv-00027-NKM-CKM and Case 6:26-cv-00028-NKM-CKM) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Lynchburg Division, on March 16.

The complaints allege harassment and maltreatment due to Clark’s race and Reeves’ defense of him, and ask plant management to cease racial slurs and threats that began shortly after Clark’s hiring.

Tyson Foods categorically denied these allegations and said it will address them through the appropriate legal process.

“Tyson Foods takes any allegation involving team member safety seriously,” the company said. “We have zero tolerance for racism, harassment or retaliation in our workplace. We are committed to fostering a respectful environment for our team members.”

Clark claims that he applied for an advertised promotion for which he was qualified and was told by management that a “nigger would never get the position” and they were looking for someone younger. The suit claims management often referred to Clark with that racial slur. When Reeves asked the name-calling to stop, he was tagged a “nigger-lover” according to his suit.

Reeves identifies as a Christian who cited Bible scripture to try to get supervisors to back off from Clark’s maltreatment. Both suits also alleged the men were subjected to several threats, such as castration, hanging, stabbing, and having a gun pulled on them by a supervisor in the parking lot.

Clark noted he spent several nights in a hotel because he feared going home. Reeves said that because he defended Clark and his asking management to stop the maltreatment, he was told to disassociate with Clark because of their racial differences. Reeves also alleges management threatened to have him and his wife raped for defending Clark’s race.

The plaintiffs each claim their termination was retaliatory and their time sheets were altered by supervisors, as well as unwarranted absences charged despite the men getting Tyson’s human resource department approval for the time needed due to mental stress.

Clark is asking the court for damages and relief, including reinstatement to his position, or front pay in place of reinstatement. He also wants compensatory damages for lost wages, benefits, and emotional pain and suffering, punitive and liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and both pre- and post-judgment interest.

Reeves is asking for compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, lost wages, and equitable and injunctive relief. He also wants to be reinstated in his job with back pay for time lost, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.