"The addition of 250 new wage and hour field investigators -- a staff increase of more than a third -- along with additional new staff in the department's Office of the Solicitor, makes clear our commitment to ensuring compliance with federal labor laws for the benefit of America's working families," added Secretary Solis.

The Department of Labor's lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The federal department alleged that Tyson Foods did not keep accurate records and failed to pay production line employees for the time they spend donning and doffing safety and sanitary gear, and performing other related work activities. The violations cover the period from the year 2000 to the present and affect approximately 3,000 current and former workers at the plant.

The initial investigation began in April 2000 as part of the department's Wage and Hour Division's poultry enforcement initiative. The Labor Department filed the district court complaint in May 2002 following the company's failure to comply with the law and to pay back wages. The first jury trial, which began in February 2009, ended in a mistrial. The Labor Department chose to pursue a second trial in August 2009 to secure a ruling that Tyson was failing to compensate its employees lawfully.

The Labor Department was represented by attorneys from the agency's Office of the Solicitor in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Today's decision is a critical achievement in the department's longstanding efforts to ensure that employers in the meat and poultry industries pay employees for all time worked.

Information on the FLSA and other federal laws concerning wage and hour issues is available by calling the Wage and Hour Division's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or on the Internet at http://www.wagehour.dol.gov.

Hilda L. Solis v. Tyson Foods Inc.; Case number 2:02-CV-1174-VEH

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor

http://www.dol.gov/

If you are unable to listen to the live webcast, it will be archived for one year at http://ir.tyson.com. A telephone replay will be available through December 3 at 800-873-2049. Outside the United States, call 402-220-5369.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The Company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The Company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

CONTACT: Ruth Ann Wisener, 479-290-4235

Web site: http://ir.tyson.com

SOURCE Tyson Foods, Inc.

http://ir.tyson.com

Hans Lefebvre, vice president of meat and seafood merchandising at Food Lion, said: "Food Lion has a unique opportunity to re-introduce one of the most well-respected brands of fresh chicken at our stores. In an economy where consumers are always searching for premium products at great prices, we are able to provide both to our customers through this arrangement.

"The Holly Farms brand has a strong heritage in many markets in which we operate as a provider of quality, premium fresh chicken at a great price. The re-introduction of this brand enables us to provide a differentiated product to our customers at or below current store brand fresh chicken prices."

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