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Tyson Foods faces legal investigation over WARN Act compliance following the closure of its Joslin, Illinois beef plant.

Tyson Foods is currently under investigation by the law firm Strauss Borrelli PLLC to determine if its recent plant closures comply with the federal WARN Act. The company announced the permanent closure of its Joslin, Illinois facility, and simultaneously informed 2,495 workers that they would remain employed and compensated for exactly 60 days. The WARN Act generally requires large employers to provide 60 days' prior notice before a mass layoff or plant closing. Because Tyson Foods provided only minutes of advance notice, legal experts are evaluating whether the 60-day pay period satisfies the requirement or if it constitutes a technical violation. A Tyson Foods spokesperson stated that the company is confident its actions are fully compliant with federal and state law. The company cited a historic cattle shortage and a desire to consolidate its beef business in Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas as the primary reasons for the closures. Additionally, the Tyson Foods facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah, will also close, affecting 723 employees.

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