Tyson Foods Amarillo Workers Authorize Strike Over Wages, Labor Claims

Workers at Tyson Foods' Amarillo, Texas, beef processing plant, represented by Teamsters Local 577, have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike amid demands for higher wages and improved benefits. The union alleges unfair labor practices, including management harassment of union stewards, coercion of injured workers, and misinformation about strike consequences. Union leaders criticized Tyson's corporate leadership for a significant pay disparity, highlighting that the CEO earned 525 times the median worker's salary last year. The Amarillo plant is the largest beef processing facility in the U.S., vital to the beef supply chain, raising concerns about potential disruptions and impacts on beef supply and pricing. Tyson Foods has not commented on the strike authorization, while union members emphasize that their fight is not just for money but also for respect and humane treatment. Concurrent disruptions at other beef plants, such as JBS in Nebraska, may compound supply chain pressures.