Tyson Foods cuts 1500 workers in Emporia

EMPORIA, Kansas, Jan. 25, 2008 - Without notice, Tyson Foods held a meeting with employees and announced it was ceasing slaughtering operations at its Emporia plant. That news means 1500 people are now without a job. For people in Emporia, news that the town's largest employer is laying off more than half of its workforce is hitting hard.

"When they said that, everyone was kind of in shock," a Tyson Foods employee said.

Tyson foods say the layoffs are part of a company wide restructuring.

In a statement, the company says, "Cattle production has moved from eastern to western Kansas over the past 20 to 30 years, and the Emporia plant is no longer centrally located."

While 1500 jobs will go with the slaughtering operation, 900 employees will stay on the job as part of the ground beef processing line.

Tyson's announcement comes just days after Shult Homes in Plainville announced it was shutting down and laying off its entire workforce. Two major layoffs some believe is a bad sign for Kansas.

"We have to pay attention to this," Emporia Senator Jim Barnett said. "I think this is just another big flag waving at us, tell us we have to control spending and look at our tax structure."

Tyson Foods says despite their layoffs, they're still committed to Emporia. However, long-time employees not affected by these layoffs, say the downsizing has them worried.

"It makes me think, what am I going to do if they shut down the rest of it," a Tyson Foods employee said.

Tyson Foods says the 1500 laid-off workers will remain on the payroll for the next 60 days.