Tyson Foods officials today issued layoff notices to more workers at the Emporia plant.
Once restructuring is complete, officials said, Emporia's plant will employ 600 to 700 workers, down from the 2,400 employed before layoffs began Jan. 25.
This is the press release issued by Tyson Foods:
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Tyson Finalizes Plans for Restructured Operations at Emporia ; Value-added beef operations to begin February 20
Emporia, Kansas – February 6, 2008 – Officials at Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. have finalized plans for restructured operations at the company’s Emporia, Kansas, beef plant and today released a transition schedule.
The final shift of beef slaughter operations at Emporia will be February 13, while the remaining processing shift will end February 15. Meanwhile, the start of new, value-added beef production at the plant will begin February 20. The restructured operations, which will employ between 600 and 700 people, will involve cold storage and shipping, specialty beef processing and ground beef processing.
Last month Tyson announced plans to modify beef operations at Emporia, by discontinuing beef slaughter and some processing operations. The company initially reported the changes would result in the elimination of about 1,500 of the plant’s 2,400 jobs. However, after additional analysis, company officials have determined the restructuring will involve the elimination of an additional 200 to 300 positions.
“When senior management made the initial decision to discontinue slaughter operations, we believed it was important to promptly notify our Team Members and make public disclosure,” said Jim Lochner, senior group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “Our first announcement was based on what we knew at the time of the initial decision. Since the announcement, we’ve been able, with the assistance of the Emporia management team, to do a more extensive study of future production options and now have a better estimate of our staffing needs.”
Workers with certain production skills are being selected to fill many of the 600 to 700 jobs that will be part of the restructured operation. The process of notifying these workers, who will come from the plant’s previous first and second shift operations, begins immediately and should be completed within a week.
Additional processing and cold storage workers at the Emporia plant were given a layoff notice today, even though some of them will ultimately remain on staff as part of restructured operations at Emporia.
“We realize this is a difficult process for everyone involved,” Lochner said. “That's why we've worked as quickly as possible to determine specifically what type of operation will remain at Emporia and who we will need to run it successfully.”
Virtually all of the Emporia workers who have been displaced are being given the opportunity to work at one of the company’s other facilities. So far, more than 500 have indicated an interest in transferring to other Tyson beef plants. This week, affected workers are also being offered incentives to transfer to some of the company’s poultry plants.
Workers displaced by the cutbacks will continue to be paid and receive benefits for 60 days, in accordance with federal law. Even though many of them will not be working at the Emporia plant during this 60 day period, they will continue to be paid during this period and now have time to explore other employment opportunities, including those available at Tyson.
The company has no current plans to resume beef slaughter operations at Emporia.
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For more details, watch here.
hartford (anonymous) says...
Next they'll say the plant is closing and employing know one! What a joke!
February 6, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gazette_reader (anonymous) says...
At least those 200-300 people know where things stand. I'd be really nervous if I were one of the remaining 600-700 employees.
Next they'll tear the place down and sow the ground with salt.
February 6, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Wonder what "virtually all" means? Is one guy's "virtually" 99% while another guy's is 40%? Big Meat is really sticking it to our people and our town. Were Tyson's local tax exemptions contingent upon their employing a certain number of people? Can they be assessed any fines for what they are doing?
February 6, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I can't say I'm surprised. I told a Tyson worker just Monday that if I were him I'd sure keep my eyes peeled for another job. I suspect Tyson will eventually sell the Emporia plant to some other company. Why else leave all the expensive equipment intact on the slaughter floor? It'll be too late for the affected employees and the local economy, though.
February 6, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eddison2 (anonymous) says...
Because the slaughter equipment 30+ years old.. it should be interesting to see what happens next...
February 6, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
hate to say it guys, but it is a "for profit" business. nobody pitched a fit when popeyes closed. i know this is a significant difference in the number of employees, but they are still employees.
if the plant closes, how long do you think tyson would hang onto an empty building that they still have to pay taxes on?
February 6, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eddison2 (anonymous) says...
dhcc is absolutely right... its all about making money... I cannot think of one company that exists to lose money.. but never the less its still sad to see so many people affected by this..
February 6, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
playbook (anonymous) says...
I was told a Group came in to look and asked to buy , but Tyson turned them down.
February 6, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnDoe (anonymous) says...
You make a very good point, "madpoet". In the next weeks we will likely read the names of the possible buyers. I would not be surprised if these additional layoffs were a part of the original plan. Tyson is trying to sneak under the PR radar. 75% of the workforce at once is a big blow. They have opted for the slow-mysterious route for their exit plan. Thanks for the honesty, what else is next? Or will the truth be known when the bulldozers are sitting in the lot. Anyone's guess but either way we will be the last to know.
February 6, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawks422 (anonymous) says...
I knew TYSON would do it...I gurantee within 6 months that plant is shut down. City officials need to start recruiting hard for other company's...this will total devistate the Emporia economy...If you want to see what happens to a city when corporations leave town...read up on flint michigan's history when the auto industry left there... high crime, high public assistance, property values lowered, etc...etc. What a blow..I would be looking for a new place to live & fast!
February 6, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjohn (anonymous) says...
I have been told that Tyson's goal is to get down to about 150-175 workers, total, by March 1st. Look for more job cuts comming soon. I'd also look for the whole operation to be terminated within eight months.
February 6, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
You cant compare Popeyes to Tyson. We 'expected' Popeyes to close. It had what 10 employees and most were minimum wage, part time, students. Not a big hit to our economy and families.
February 6, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
09071976 (anonymous) says...
DOOMSDAY, DOOMSDAY!! C'mon people!
There's no doubt that the sting of Tyson's paychecks being spent elsewhere will be felt for a while. The lost city and county revenue will press and already pressured economy.
I'm pretty sure that it's not the time to board up windows and wagon-train to the next big city. There are a lot of fine citizens who still have their jobs. There are businesses, small and large, that continue to thrive and grow. There will be new business, new people and new paychecks.
To the people who will stay and work to rebuild I say...Make Emporia an attractive place. Not only for new business but to live. Citizens, clean up the town. Business owners, make the investment to expand; the workforce is willing. County officials, quit spending money on monuments and clock towers; cut the fat from the budget and put all your efforts to bring jobs to our town.
One last thing, sell the fairgrounds.
February 6, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yellow82 (anonymous) says...
Why relocation? Why isn't Tyson giving workers the opportunity for education, training, and earning job skills to fill another niche right here in Emporia? Maybe all these people don't want to move, they are invested in this community, let's keep them here. Diddie and Modine gave employees educational choices.
February 6, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
09071976 (anonymous) says...
@hawks, "high crime, high public assistance, property values lowered, etc...etc"
Do we not have a lot of this going on now, pre-Tyson pullout? Could a lot of said problems be spawned in part by having Tyson here? Just questions for thought...
February 6, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
Popeye's fell victim to what many businesses will fall to. Too many businesses do a half-ass job and treat the customers as though they HAVE to do business there. As money tightens people will start being choosy about where they spend their hard-earned cash. I still suscribe to the old saying that the customer is the number ! asset and always right and greatly appreciated. Look how far down hill McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell...have slid over the years. Money has come too fast and easy for too long. Today's generation doesn't know what it's like to have to choose what to have and what not to have. They are too use to having it all. Tyson will never sell the Emporia plant, what sense would there be in generating competition against yourself. The overhead expenses of a plant the size of the Emporia plant will keep it from being profitable only doing specialty cuts and hamburger. If y'all think the Democraps are going to turn this ship around, you are all very mistaken. It will take the whole community acting in unison Democrat, Republican, Indepenant, Libertarian.....to change the direction this country is heading.
February 6, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
C'mon people lets put some of the blame of possible economic hard times in Emporia on the people that were elected to manage and take care of the taxpayers of Emporia.
Because as I see it, the people who were supposed to be managing the Citys' and taxpayers business were in reality mismanaging the Citys' and taxpayers money by giving large corporations such as Tyson, etc. huge tax incentives while the Citys' elected managers policy was to spend, spend, spend and increase taxes on the wrong people, the citizen taxpayers of Emporia and not planning for just such a recent contingency as the recent Tyson fiasco!
Emporias' elected managers should have been planning and saving for just such an emergency instead of building multi-million dollar courthouses etc.
February 6, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
09071976 (anonymous) says...
Thank you methusla, I forgot the Courthouse.
February 6, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
At least if crime goes through the roof, they will have plenty of criminals to fill and help pay for that eyesore of a courthouse.
February 6, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
yellow 82, where have you been?? are you really serious? are you new to the area? have you ever heard of tyson? you have go to be kidding............tyson could give a rats A$$ about anyone except themselves and the balance sheet, their in it to make money only, that's what most big companies are all about.
February 6, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
Hillbilly..........TO be honest I dont know of any company thats not in it to make money.....big or small..........
February 6, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
Hillbilly..........TO be honest I dont know of any company thats not in it to make money.....big or small..........
February 6, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eddison2 (anonymous) says...
If I do recall.. I think ALL (besides the designated nonprofits... of course) companies are in it to make money?? Your brilliant.
February 6, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shihtzulvr (anonymous) says...
yellow82 -- Employees from Modine and Diddie were eligible for education through NAFTA. If anyone can show that Tyson employees are being cut here and the company is shifting the work to plants they own in Mexico or Canada they would be eligible as well, but that is the only way.
It seems like Tyson, a chicken producer, has bought up all these beef plants and is shutting them down one by one. Won't this begin to drive up the beef prices through supply and demand, and people will buy more CHICKEN!?
February 6, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I think the next time the election shows up and a chance for real change around here will happen if the we stop talking and start doing. The new generations will have no incentives to stay here and make a Emporia their home.
And to restate the foolish funds spent on a clock tower, a aquatic center and a SHRINE we call the new courthouse is just the tip of the iceberg that has plowed into the "Titanic" aka EMPORIA!!! And we dont have enough boats here to save those going down with the ship.
February 6, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peanutbutter (anonymous) says...
Yellow82, what jobs are there around here for somebody with an education? I have several degrees and had to leave Emporia to earn a living. The jobs offered around here that are offered don't require degrees and if they do they don't pay. I didn't spend 4+ years in school and thousands of dollars to make what somebody who didn't go to school does.
February 6, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerpow66801 (anonymous) says...
Tyson offered to pay for people willing to move. My family currently is off to the Joslin plant. Beautiful area maybe some of the rest should move up there. Anyways. Like many have said Tyson is out to make money. Look at the guy in charge now "Dick Bond" he was big in IBP too and managed to rack up a ton of debts that Tyson inherited. This plant lost alot of money on a daily basis.
Most of the managers at this plant took this very hard. Mike fiehler could barely bring himself to talk to anyone. There was alot of the managment that actually did care for the hourly employees. Spent most of their time trying to comfort those that lost their jobs. It's a given that you have people who could care less if it doesn't actually effect them.
Some of the upper management had the "Sh#t happens attitude" and even expressed it to their hourly employees *cough* Mike Fleeman *cough* but for the most part excluding the latter the managment cares. Eventually Emporia will recover. I hope the city managers put the money towards more useful projects i.e. More activities for the kids in this town. More activities period. More places to go other than bars and wal-mart. Anyways. Good luck I wish you all well and I hope things look up for the local economy.
February 6, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
isabella (anonymous) says...
aparentely tyson does not care about any of us we are littlt ants that they can just crush and find some more well i don't know about you but i have never backed down from a fight in my life thanks to being Italian and german If corporate wont come talk to us we need to let our voices heard and the way to do it is! GOTO TYSON CORPORATE WEB SITE
CLICK ON PRESS ROOM
GO TO BOTTOM OF THR PAGE WHEREIS SAYS COMMENTS AND HAVE A BLAST LIKE I DID. maybe with enough bad press they will find a heart i dought it but it cant hurt and i feel better for doing it
February 6, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerpow66801 (anonymous) says...
Heard they gave notices to the first shift employees today. wonder if that's true. And that they are closing it and NOT selling it. Keeping it for some kind of deduction.
February 6, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
laid_off_pissed_off (anonymous) says...
gazette_reader I don't think those team members they are letting go know who they are just yet. There are still team members from the 1st notice that are still awaiting to hear if they have a job or not.
kerpow66801 : I wish you and your family well out in Joslin, that is a nice area, but the facility is rather small and I can see that plant being the next one Tyson shuts down.
I do hope that all people who do transfer to other facilities will also take the time to look at what other business and industries are around the area, so if Tyson decides to shut down those facilities there are other job opprotunities for you all to have, instead of packing up your family and moving again.
To those who made comments about how this is a business decision, YES IT IS.
What is sickening is how they try to act as if they give a crap and how they are a "family" company. I could handle it better if they were more blunt about it and said look this is the way it is, but to have a coroporate statement to say what a fine job the team members have done, how they appreciate all our hard work and dedication through out the years and how they" regret the layoffs yet hopes to accomplish this plant layoff with the least possible disruption to the lives of team members." give me a break.
The only ones who know what kind of team members we have and who give a crap...(with exception of a few ~cough~ not mentioning names) are the ones who have put in the years and worked beside us not the ones sitting in their coroporate offices, looking at the numbers each facility is putting out.
February 6, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
acricket2001 (anonymous) says...
Sorry to see what is going on, but not surprised. I didn't think they would stay too long . Emporia needs to wake up and do some house cleaning with the city managers. They needed to work on getting more companies to Emporia that pay decent wages not just $8.00 hr. If there were more places to shop besides just wally world, the money would stay here and help the town. Same goes for the next generations, they might stay and want to raise their children here if there was better pay and stores. Emporia didn't need a new courthouse, tower clock or signs on the fair grounds. Its like buying a cart before you get the horse. The city needs to put the people first and than everything else will just follow. As for those that lost their jobs, sure hope the employer paid in to unemployment so they can draw unemployment. Again my prayers are with Emporia. Was born and raised there but left a few years ago , couldn't make it with house payment, taxes and only one income of $8.00 hr.
February 6, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
This weeks KLA newsletter states that the head of Tysons cattle procurement expects one more plant in the beef processing industry will have to close to correct the "overcapacity" in the industry. He also says longterm Tyson will maintain ownership of the plant to keep it out of production...ie prevent someone else buying it and competing to buy cattle against Tyson. I honestly don't know what to believe but it appears to me Tyson is bent on forcing cattle prices down by trimming slaughter capacity. I also want to throw out a question, my wife says she has heard that Tyson employees who interview with other companies are subject to immediate termination, does anyone know if this is true??
February 6, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
What exactly would you like our leaders do? Please explain how they lure $20+ per hr jobs to the area. They sure would be most interested in hearing your plans as would the rest of us. Why don't you start a high pay enterprise and hire they rest of us?
February 6, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
@kerpow66801
Maybe you ought to stop NAMING names when YOU have no clue to what and how people react to situations....THERE are more rumors than truth being told at this point and time.......and ESPECIALY by the hourly who are faced with no job ......I know for a fact that ALL management are having a difficult time knowing the lives that this brings change to.......INSTEAD of spreading more lies try confronting to ones face before posting....and walking IN ones shoes before joining in the mud slinging because YOU dont like an individual......SLANDER statements dont bring any comfort from your thoughts or posting.
February 6, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
@KERPOW66801
WE know HOW you got your job in JOSLIN....ITS for sure ITS NOT what you know but WHO you know........
February 6, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerpow66801 (anonymous) says...
I apologize If I somehow offended you morethenenough, But as far as lies I heard it from that man's mouth. As myself and other team members were standing in the Hallway after hearing the news. While others are crying we here a management person laughing! "Sh#t HAPPENS!!??" I worked there for over 10 years for NOTHING. But hey I'll move to an area with more oppurtunties for me and my two little girls. Before you get pissed at ME put yourself in my shoes with my friends and trying to comfort them while wondering what the hell I'm gonna do.
February 6, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gazette_reader (anonymous) says...
I could see how transferring might look like a viable option, but then I think about the Somalians, who transferred here because they lost their jobs in Nebraska. And now they're lives have been thrown into chaos again.
laid_off_pissed_off, that's even more worrisome. At least if you know you're laid off, you know where things stand and you can start figuring out what to do next. If you're in the pool of people waiting to find out what will happen to you - your life is just a big ball of worrying and "what-ifs."
February 7, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerpow66801 (anonymous) says...
@gazette_reader yeah it sucks for them but not as much as you think. Most that I spoke to were excited to go somewhere new. A few explained to me that they are nomadic people most don't even care for their own children, The eldest in the family does, So for some I can't speak for all. it's an adventure. Seems strange to us but it's part of their culture.
And yeah the what-ifs are going to be terrible. At least those of us on 2nd shift knew right away.
February 7, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
@kerpow66801
YOU could not have heard it from the mans mouth....I know the MAN personaly and KNOW he dont use that language to begin with.....HE comes from a very confident and professional background....along with his 25+ years in the beef industry working under some of the best thru the ranks...Through integrity and proactive work ethic he has built a reputation that has followed his commitment to strive to succeed in all areas as a manager...and those who work for and next to him know the impact its had on him and the rest of management.......
AS far as your 10 YEARS of working for nothing.......another LIE.......you received a pay check for your 10 years...so it was not for nothing.......you worked and you where compensated for that WORK!....
and THIS has affected my FAMILY.....and friends....
February 7, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
09071976 (anonymous) says...
@morethenenough~ Your argument is useless when you fall into the hypocrisy of calling kerpow a liar. He may very well have heard this man say the common phrase yet you call him out. Remember, people react differently to situations, even speaking out of character.
Every person and every business in this town will be directly affected by the Tyson downsizing. Those in smaller communities around Lyon County will also feel the burn. It is important to understand that fact.
February 7, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
ITs obvious people who are not happy take this opportunity to deliver an agenda to say or makeup anything that discredits another.......
Just pointing out fact what was said was not true.....in more than one instance from this person
I have said from the start THIS is the time to encourage those who are directly affected and those who have reamained doing THEIR job...
This situation is a very tuff one for ALL ....Including this management person I know......your right it would be out of character for him to react in the way described...because he too is affected by this as with all management. He has survived in the beef industry and seen many ups and downs.........along with his own personal battle with cancer.......his compassion for life and his job would not be so lighthearted as protrayed by one .....
February 7, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
09071976 (anonymous) says...
Your friend may have all the compassion in the world, with a history such as his I have no doubt. That said, protecting his honor with slander of your own hurts all involved. You probably said it best with, "the Mentality of AN eye FOR an EYE only ends up with both eyes black and blue".
He may not have said such a phrase and the post may be kerpow's way of dealing with his loss. Either way the important thing is to band together, make Emporia an attractive place to build and demand that our city leaders be held accountable for their actions.
February 7, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morethenenough (anonymous) says...
Dont feel protection of his honor is necessary, as stated earlier his own reputation stands with his life, family and job performance....
I continue to stand for truth and facts that are presented before me ~!~ I dont recall any name calling~!~ pointing out negative actions YES....
STATED once again there is upset all around and it takes the majority for a positive Change.....change that will be good can only come from those who focus on integrity with the desire to grow with encouragement and forward actions~!~
February 7, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olddog (anonymous) says...
isabella .....GOTO TYSON CORPORATE WEB SITE
CLICK ON PRESS ROOM GO TO BOTTOM OF THR PAGE WHEREIS SAYS COMMENTS AND HAVE A BLAST LIKE I DID. maybe with enough bad press they will find a heart i dought it but it cant hurt and i feel better for doing it
Great idea, I have spread that link onto others and several I know others have submitted their opinions. Might as well complain to the main horse instead of on a blog where corporate HAS to sift through their comments.
February 7, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )