SPRINGDALE, Ark., April 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of Tyson Foods’ (NYSE:TSN) focus on sustainable food
production at scale, the company has committed to expanded efforts to create a better workplace at its production facilities.
“We believe sustainability is about continuous improvement and solutions that last, and this includes a healthier workplace,”
said Noel White, chief operations officer at Tyson Foods. “We’ve always been committed to supporting our employees and have sound
workplace practices in place, but also want to do better. That’s why we’re taking steps that include expanding training,
improving workplace safety and compensation, increasing transparency and helping workers with life skills.”
By investing in sustainability, Tyson Foods expects to create a beneficial cycle of contributing to the future, while paying for
itself in the present. Investments in sustainability are expected to fund themselves through reduced waste and costs.
Tyson Foods employs 114,000 Team Members, including more than 95,000 who work in the company’s U.S. production facilities. This
includes chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods operations. Highlights of Tyson Foods’ expanded workplace efforts include:
- A continuing commitment to a goal of zero worker injuries and illnesses; striving to achieve a 15% year-over-year reduction
in worker injuries and illnesses
- A commitment to a goal of zero turnover; striving for a 10% year-over-year improvement company-wide in Team Member
retention
- Plans to hire 25 or more poultry plant trainers, adding to the more than 260 trainers and 30 training coordinators the
company has hired for its poultry business since 2015
- Expansion of the We
Care safety communications program to all poultry plants
- Continued participation of hourly workers in plant safety councils
- A pilot compensation program at two poultry plants that involves significantly increasing base wages and shortening the time
it takes new workers to move to higher wage rates (the company implemented pay increases at all poultry plants in November
2016 and millions of dollars in benefit improvements in January 2017)
- Expansion of Upward Academy, a life skills program for workers
- Publicly sharing the results of third-party social compliance audits of Tyson plants; the company initiated the audits in fiscal 2015
Tyson Foods’ purpose is to raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. As part of that purpose and Tyson
Foods’ new approach to sustainability, the company is collaborating with external organizations such as Oxfam America and the
United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). The UFCW has 22 labor contracts with Tyson Foods, representing more than 24,000
workers.
“Tyson Foods’ commitment to worker safety and worker rights should not just be applauded – it should serve as a model for the
rest of the industry,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone. “Through our ongoing partnership with Tyson Foods, we have
already made valuable progress. We look forward to these new and expanded initiatives and to continuing to work together to
provide a better, safer workplace for the hard-working men and women at Tyson Foods.”
Tyson Foods has also been working with the Cisneros Center for New Americans on a program called Upward Academy. It was
developed by the company and the non-profit agency two years ago and is designed to help immigrant workers with life skills through
such things as English as a Second Language and General Educational Development (GED) classes.
“We appreciate the leadership Tyson Foods has shown by investing in its workforce through programs like this,” said Nicolas
Perilla of the Cisneros Center. “It’s fundamentally good for business and the community by helping new Americans be successful and
feel at home. More companies should replicate this program.”
For more details about Tyson Foods’ workplace commitments and a video highlighting workplace safety at a Tyson Foods’ poultry
plant, click here.
Tyson Foods holistic approach to delivering sustainable food at scale is one of the company’s “twin growth engines,” with the
other being a portfolio of protein packed brands.
CEO Tom Hayes has previously said, “We will use our reach, capabilities and resources to drive positive change. Trade-offs will
be minimized as we solve for healthier food, healthier animals, a healthier environment and a healthier workplace. All of these
areas must advance together if we are to create a more sustainable system.”
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest food companies with leading
brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara
Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State
Fair®. It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon,
breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and
foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 115 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W.
Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson,
John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 114,000 Team
Members employed at more than 400 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 Foods 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.
Contact: Gary Mickelson, 479-290-6111, gary.mickelson@tyson.com
