PHILADELPHIA, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A federal jury in Philadelphia has ruled in favor of Tyson Foods in a wage and hour lawsuit involving one of the company's poultry processing complexes, Tyson reported today. The decision confirms Tyson is paying its Team Members fairly for all hours they work.
The De Asencio v. Tyson Foods case was filed in 2000 by attorneys for seven workers from the company's New Holland, Pennsylvania poultry complex. They alleged the company failed to pay them for time taken to put on and take off certain items of clothing before and after their shifts and breaks. Approximately 540 additional current or former workers joined the suit.
However, after a two week trial in federal court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a jury concluded these activities are not work and sided with the company.
"We're grateful for this ruling because it shows we're paying our people correctly for the time they devote to their jobs," said Ken Kimbro, senior vice president of Human Resources for Tyson Foods. "Businesses across the country, including ours, are facing similar wage and hour suits because federal labor regulations in this area are vague. We're hopeful this decision will help bring some clarity to this nationwide legal debate."
Tyson's New Holland poultry complex employs more than 1,100 Team Members.
Tyson Foods, Inc. , founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein- based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
