Tyson Foods Strengthens its Commitment to Immigrant Team Members with $1.5M Investment

Rhea-AI Summary

Tyson Foods has announced a $1.5 million investment in legal and citizenship services for immigrant employees, bringing its total investment to over $2.4 million in the past two years. This investment has helped more than 500 team members obtain citizenship and provided legal counsel to over 2,500 employees. The company has been recognized with the “Keepers of the American Dream Award” by the National Immigration Forum for its commitment to immigrant team members. Tyson also reported an increase in average hourly pay to over $18, with total hourly compensation exceeding $24.

Positive

• Investing an additional $1.5 million in legal and citizenship services for immigrant employees.
• Total investment of over $2.4 million supporting legal services for team members.
• Helped over 500 team members gain citizenship and provided legal advice to more than 2,500 team members.
• Recognized with the “Keepers of the American Dream Award” by the National Immigration Forum.
• Average hourly pay exceeds $18, with total hourly compensation over $24.

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• None.

National Immigration Forum recognizes the company with the “Keepers of the American Dream Award”

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Nov. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods announced today it is strengthening its commitment to immigrant team members by investing an additional $1.5 million to provide free legal and citizenship services.

The company has now invested more than $2.4 million during the past two years to support partners like Immigrant Connection, a non-profit organization that provides immigrants with legal services, such as employment authorization renewals and petitions for citizenship.

Since 2020, the company has doubled the legal services offered to U.S. team members, helped more than 500 Tyson team members with their citizenship status and counseled over 2,500 team members in need of legal services. Tyson Foods has also spent millions of dollars providing ESL and citizenship classes through Upward Academy.

As a result, the National Immigration Forum is awarding Tyson Foods the “Keepers of the American Dream” award at its Leading the Way Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 16. This award goes to leaders and organizations making their community and country a better place for immigrants.

“I am thankful to Tyson Foods and the Immigration Partnership Program. I am now an American citizen, proud to be able to vote for the first time in a country I lived in and called my home for the last 12 years,” said Johanna Soderstrom, executive vice president, chief people officer, Tyson Foods. “This is a wonderful benefit available to all Tyson team members and their family members.”

“Tyson Foods has supported me and my family for nearly nine years; giving us jobs and benefits we could never dream of,” said Paw Law, Tyson Foods Clarksville, Arkansas team member. “I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and didn’t know what to expect when we got to the United States. After going through the immigration program at Tyson Foods, I finally feel like I belong somewhere and I’m extremely proud to be a U.S. citizen.”

Tyson Foods has historically attracted immigrants because it provides good-paying entry level jobs with benefits. With average hourly pay of more than $18 plus the value of medical, dental and vision insurance, vacation and other benefits, the average total compensation for hourly team members has increased to more than $24 an hour, or an annual value of more than $50,000.

The company has also invested more than $500 million in wage increases and bonuses for frontline workers over the past year. In addition, it is piloting subsidized and onsite childcare, as well as seven near-site health centers. An increasing number of Tyson production facilities are also offering more flexible work schedules for frontline workers.

“Nearly 20 years ago, I had the pleasure of supporting newly arrived refugee employees at a Tyson facility in West Virginia as a refugee resettlement practitioner,” said Jennie Murray, Chief Executive Officer, National Immigration Forum. “Since then, including with today’s announcement, Tyson Foods has continued to be one of our nation’s most welcoming and inclusive employers of immigrants and refugees. We are thrilled to honor Tyson Foods with the Keepers of the American Dream award for their innovative work and to continue to promote their best practices.”

About Tyson Foods, Inc. 

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson^®, Jimmy Dean^®, Hillshire Farm^®, Ball Park^®, Wright^®, Aidells^®, ibp^® and State Fair^®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 137,000 team members on October 2, 2021. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com. 

Media Contact: Kelly Hellbusch, Kelly.hellbusch@tyson.com, 281-799-9784.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/978eaeeb-5c44-4e06-9f7d-cdecca33e619

 

FAQ

What is Tyson Foods' latest investment for immigrant employees?

Tyson Foods has invested an additional $1.5 million in legal and citizenship services for its immigrant employees.

How much has Tyson Foods invested in immigrant services over the last two years?

The company has invested more than $2.4 million in immigrant services in the past two years.

What recognition did Tyson Foods receive for its support of immigrants?

Tyson Foods received the “Keepers of the American Dream Award” from the National Immigration Forum.

How many team members have benefited from Tyson Foods' legal services?

Over 500 team members have obtained citizenship, and more than 2,500 have received legal advice.

What is the average hourly wage for Tyson Foods employees?

The average hourly wage for Tyson Foods employees is over $18, with total compensation exceeding $24.