Organizations Support Tyson Employees as Closure of Lexington Beef Plant Approaches

en said. “We are seeing that happen in Lexington.”

The closure of the Tyson Foods beef plant in Lexington, Nebraska, is set to leave 3,200 workers jobless, prompting a collaborative effort between Nebraska state agencies, local nonprofits, and various groups to extend support to affected individuals and their families during this difficult time. Scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, a “rapid response layoff services” event is being organized for Tyson workers at the Dawson County Fairgrounds by Governor Jim Pillen’s office as per a statement released on Saturday.

The event will see representatives from various Nebraska departments such as labor, health and human services, economic development, and agriculture provide information on the resources available to the impacted workers, including details on unemployment insurance benefits, job search assistance, and economic support programs. Tyson is expected to inform workers about the timing of the event to ensure their participation and access to valuable resources.

Governor Pillen expressed reassurance that despite the challenges, Nebraskans have a strong sense of unity and support for one another, especially during times of hardship like the impending holiday season for those affected in Lexington. The decision by Tyson to close the beef plant in Lexington, announced on November 21, will result in job losses around January 20, affecting approximately 3,200 individuals. The company is also letting go of 1,700 workers at another plant in Amarillo, Texas.

While Tyson did not provide specific reasons for targeting the Lexington plant in their announcement, recent earnings reports signal substantial losses in their beef business, forecasting a $600 million loss in the upcoming fiscal year on top of a $720 million loss over the preceding two years. Governor Pillen mentioned that the age and efficiency of the plant, originally built in 1973 for manufacturing farm machinery before converting to a meatpacking facility in 1990, contributed to the decision to close the plant.

State labor officials emphasized the importance for workers to file unemployment claims post-employment termination, rather than before. Those who voluntarily leave their positions in anticipation of a layoff are typically ineligible for unemployment benefits, according to the state Department of Labor. The department is committed to providing reemployment services to impacted employees and can be contacted via email for inquiries at [email protected].

Nebraska Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber indicated that efforts are underway by local employers to organize job fairs for those affected, with details to follow soon. In addition to these state and local agency initiatives, the Lexington Community Foundation is facilitating the dissemination of information on available assistance from local organizations to extend support to the workers. Further information can be obtained by visiting givebiglexington.org.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the community and impacted workers, Thurber highlighted the significance of community support in driving the swift organization of the outreach session. Acknowledging the hardships faced by the community and affected workers, Thurber emphasized the significant role played by community support in facilitating the rapid response event.