051216 Tyson to Hire 1,600 Workers at New TX Plant

Sherman, TX - Tyson Foods Inc. said it plans to hire 1,600 workers as it readies a new beef and pork packaging plant slated to begin production in February.

The plant, which once belonged to Kraft's Oscar Mayer, currently has 50 managers on staff and expects to begin hiring the roughly 1,000 workers needed in the first phase of production this week, Tyson said. The rest of the work force will be added as the plant ramps up production.

The converted facility will package beef and pork from other Tyson plants as steak, roasts, chops, ground beef and other grocer-ready meat products. The jobs involve cutting, trimming and packaging, as well as storage, maintenance and quality control.

Tyson said it will start production workers at $9 an hour, with potential to earn $10 after six months. The top maintenance pay is $16 an hour. The company will also offer a health and retirement benefit program.

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