Tyson Foods Commits to New, Sustainable Approach to a Better Workplace
April 26 2017 - 6:58AM
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 FoodsTyson 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
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