Tyson Closes Two Nebraska Plants

NEW YORK - Feb 15/06 - SNS -- Tyson Foods, Inc. will permanently close its beef processing plant in Norfolk and beef slaughter plant in West Point, Nebraska. Production will be shifted primarily to the company’s beef complex in Dakota City, Nebraska, which is completing a new beef processing addition.

The new 84,500 square foot structure at Dakota City is scheduled to begin production in March and will be capable of absorbing the work currently performed in Norfolk.

The plant closings affect approximately 365 employees at West Point and 1,300 at Norfolk. The last day of production at West Point will be today, while the last full day of operations at Norfolk will be Friday, February 17. The one exception will be the plant’s forward warehouse, which will continue to operate for a minimum of another 30 days.

Workers at both locations will be paid and receive benefits for 60 days and will be asked to report for meetings to discuss benefits, as well as employment opportunities within the company. Affected employees will be encouraged to consider transferring to other Tyson plants, such as company beef facilities at Dakota City and Lexington, Nebraska, as well as Emporia, Kansas. The company will offer cash relocation incentives. Tyson will also work cooperatively with Nebraska Workforce Development officials who will provide employment assistance.