Tyson Foods has agreed to pay a $7.75 million settlement to workers in its Tyson Fresh Meats beef and pork processing plant in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. A federal judge in Tennessee has given preliminary approval of the donning-and-doffing settlement.
As part of the settlement, the meat and food processor will pay $7.75 million into a fund to cover awards to employees not paid for time spent putting on and taking off work clothes and protective gear “under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state law breach of contract claims.” Tyson Foods will also be expected to pay attorney fees and costs and the settlement administrator fees, The City Wire reported. Tyson Foods also will cover the employer’s portion of payroll taxes for the payout, according to documents filed in federal court.
The Tyson Foods settlement puts an end to seven months of negotiations, and avoids a trial that had earlier been slated to begin in August.
