OMAHA, Neb. — A federal appeals court has decided that Tyson Foods doesn't have to pay workers at two of its Nebraska plants for the time they spend putting on and taking off safety gear and preparing for work.
The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said Wednesday that Tyson doesn't owe workers at its plants in Dakota City and Madison for that time.
The appellate rulings will eliminate two lower court decisions ordering Tyson to pay more than $20 million.
The workers who sued argued that Tyson should pay them for the roughly 30 minutes they spend putting on uniforms and safety gear, sanitizing equipment, sharpening knives and other duties. They said they're only paid for their time on the assembly line plus four minutes for all the pre- and post-production chores.