> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://cibocom.ghost.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Tyson Foods Pledges Commitment to Sustainable Workplace Practices
- URL: https://cibocom.ghost.io/tyson-foods-pledges-commitment-to-sustainable-workplace-practices/
- Published: 2017-04-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T15:01:54.000Z
- Author: Cibocom
- Tags: Tyson Foods, pork, beef, poultry

Springdale, Ark. – April 26, 2017 – Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) is focusing on sustainable food production on a large scale and has pledged to enhance its efforts to improve the work environment in its production facilities. "Sustainability is about ongoing improvement and lasting solutions, including a healthier work environment," stated Noel White, the chief operations officer at Tyson Foods. "We have always been dedicated to supporting our employees and have robust workplace practices in place, but we also aim to improve. That's why we're implementing measures that include broadening training, enhancing workplace safety and compensation, increasing transparency, and assisting workers with life skills." Tyson Foods anticipates that by investing in sustainability, it will create a beneficial cycle of contributing to the future while paying for itself in the present. The company expects that investments in sustainability will pay for themselves through waste and cost reduction. Tyson Foods employs 114,000 team members, with over 95,000 working in the company's U.S. production facilities. This includes operations in chicken, beef, pork, and prepared foods. Key aspects of Tyson Foods' enhanced workplace efforts include: - A continued commitment to a goal of zero worker injuries and illnesses; aiming for a 15% year-over-year reduction in worker injuries and illnesses - A commitment to a goal of zero turnover; aiming for a 10% year-over-year improvement company-wide in team member retention - Plans to hire 25 or more poultry plant trainers, adding to the over 260 trainers and 30 training coordinators the company has hired for its poultry business since 2015 - Expansion of the We Care safety communications program to all poultry plants - Continued participation of hourly workers in plant safety councils - A pilot compensation program at two poultry plants that involves significantly increasing base wages and shortening the time it takes new workers to move to higher wage rates (the company implemented pay increases at all poultry plants in November 2016 and millions of dollars in benefit improvements in January 2017) - Expansion of Upward Academy, a life skills program for workers - Publicly sharing the results of third-party social compliance audits of Tyson plants; the company initiated the audits in fiscal 2015 Tyson Foods' mission is to elevate global expectations for the potential of good food. As part of this mission and Tyson Foods' new approach to sustainability, the company is partnering with external organizations such as Oxfam America and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). The UFCW has 22 labor contracts with Tyson Foods, representing over 24,000 workers. "Tyson Foods' dedication to worker safety and worker rights deserves not just praise – it should serve as a benchmark for the rest of the industry," stated UFCW International President Marc Perrone. "Through our ongoing collaboration with Tyson Foods, we have already made significant progress. We look forward to these new and expanded initiatives and to continuing to work together to provide a better, safer work environment for the hard-working men and women at Tyson Foods." Tyson Foods has also been collaborating with the Cisneros Center for New Americans on a program called Upward Academy. This program, developed by the company and the non-profit agency two years ago, is designed to assist immigrant workers with life skills through English as a Second Language and General Educational Development (GED) classes. "We value the leadership Tyson Foods has demonstrated by investing in its workforce through programs like this," said Nicolas Perilla of the Cisneros Center. "It's fundamentally beneficial for business and the community by helping new Americans succeed and feel at home. More companies should replicate this program." For more information about Tyson Foods' workplace commitments and a video highlighting workplace safety at a Tyson Foods' poultry plant, click here. Tyson Foods' comprehensive approach to delivering sustainable food on a large scale is one of the company's "twin growth engines," with the other being a portfolio of protein-rich brands. CEO Tom Hayes has previously stated, "We will leverage our reach, capabilities, and resources to drive positive change. Trade-offs will be minimized as we solve for healthier food, healthier animals, a healthier environment, and a healthier workplace. All of these areas must progress together if we are to create a more sustainable system." About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), headquartered 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 115 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by