Tyson workers protest mass layoffs after Illinois plant closes

Twenty-five hundred workers lost their jobs with almost no notice when a Tyson Foods beef processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, was abruptly closed on August 14. Workers, most of whom are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, are demanding Tyson increase their severance pay to at least six months of full compensation with benefits.

Dozens of laid-off workers protested at the Illinois state Capitol in Springfield on Thursday, urging Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to reopen the plant under state ownership and provide relief to all affected workers.

Tyson also shuttered a facility in Utah, citing “historic cattle shortages” as the reason for the two closures. The 75-year low of the U.S. cattle herd is due in part to drought, the rising cost of fertilizer and diesel due to the U.S. war in Iran, and years of industry consolidation.

Tyson CEO and President Donnie King made over $34 million last year, nearly 800 times more than the median Tyson worker and double the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio among S&P 500 companies.