Tyson Shuttered a Plant and Laid Off 2,500 Workers Overnight
Tyson abruptly shut down its plant in Joslin, Illinois, last month, throwing 2,500 mostly immigrant workers out of work. Consolidation across the beef and grocery industries may be driving a wave of meatpacking job losses.
Despite a profitable few years, food-industry giant Tyson abruptly shuttered its plant in Joslin, Illinois, last month, putting thousands of employees out of work — including some who had worked there for decades. (Luis Robayo / AFP via Getty Images)
Ouano Tante worked the afternoon shift at the Tyson beef plant in Joslin, Illinois, for five years. But when she and hundreds of her coworkers arrived at work on August 13, they found the plant closed.
They speculated that someone on the morning shift might have gotten injured. Then two mid-level supervisors came outside in tears. Plant supervisors told workers the plant was closing permanently, effective immediately.
Inside, the early-morning shift had just ended when the workers were informed it would be their last. The cafeteria erupted into chaos. Plant supervisors stood guard by the doors, workers said, while everyone received their closure paperwork.
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