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Tyson Foods Increases Pay at Chicken Plants

Springdale, Ark. – October 23, 2015 – In an effort to boost employee recruiting and retention, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is increasing hourly pay at most of its U.S. chicken plants, company officials reported today.

The move, effective November 1, affects hourly production, maintenance and refrigeration workers at 51 of the company’s chicken plants. This includes raising the starting pay for production workers at almost 40 plants to at least $10 an hour. The starting rate at some facilities had previously been in the $8 to $9 range.

This change in the starting rate, along with other increases of varying amounts for experienced production, maintenance and refrigeration workers, means the average hourly pay for those who have been on the job for more than a year will be more than $12 an hour. Top hourly production pay in Tyson Foods’ chicken operations exceeds $16 an hour.

Maintenance and refrigeration workers at the 51 chicken plants will also experience increases of varying amounts. As a result, top pay for some maintenance jobs will reach $23 an hour while the highest pay for certain refrigeration jobs will be $26 an hour.

“We’re increasing pay to remain competitive in the labor markets where we operate and to retain the quality Team Members we need to keep running successfully,” said Noel White, president of Tyson Foods’ poultry business. “We believe we have the best team in the chicken business and we want to keep it that way.”

Tyson Foods’ compensation department frequently coordinates third-party wage surveys and job market research in the areas where it has facilities. “We offer the highest-paying entry level jobs in many of our plant communities and pay more than most companies in the chicken business,” White said.

In addition to competitive pay, Tyson Foods offers affordable health, life, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits to its Team Members and their families. In fact, the company requires all Team Members who have been employed for 59 days to have health care coverage through either the company-sponsored health plan or through a family member’s plan. This means that 100 percent of the company’s eligible Team Members have access to health care coverage.

Other benefits include paid vacations and holidays, eligibility to participate in a 401(k) retirement savings program and an employee stock purchase program, short and long-term disability and educational assistance.

About half of Tyson Foods’ Team Members in the chicken business have been with the company for five years or more and almost one-quarter of them have been with the company for 20 years or more.

ABOUT TYSON FOODS
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®,  Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

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Contact: Gary Mickelson, 479-290-6111, gary.mickelson@tyson.com