Tyson Commits to Better Worker Conditions After Criticism
- Gets rare praise from Oxfam, union on workplace efforts
- Seeks cut in injuries; pilot program to raise pay at 2 plants
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After years of exposés about working conditions in the U.S. meat industry, Tyson Foods Inc. pledged to improve pay and safety for more than 95,000 employees at domestic factories and be more transparent about its practices.
Tyson, the sector’s largest company, laid out its plan Wednesday in a statement. It’s working to achieve a 15 percent year-over-year reduction in injuries and illnesses as well as a 10 percent improvement in employee turnover, with the eventual goal of reaching zero for both. There’ll be a pilot program at two poultry plants to increase workers’ base wages and accelerate their move up the pay scale. Tyson also plans to release third-party social compliance audits.