Tyson immigrant hiring lawsuit gets class action status
Associated Press
Oct. 12, 2006 12:26 PM


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. A federal judge in Chattanooga has granted class action status to a lawsuit that contends Tyson Foods depressed wages by hiring illegal immigrants at eight plants in Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Virginia.
Tyson employees' attorney Howard Foster of Chicago today described the ruling as a "very big step," and says he is now seeking damages for thousands of workers at the eight plants.

An attorney for Arkansas-based Tyson, Roger Dickson of Chattanooga, declined comment, saying he has not had a chance to read the judge's order.

U-S District Judge Curtis Collier in the ruling yesterday set a January 29th, 2007 conference with attorneys. Foster said the judge will then likely set a trial date.

A federal jury in March 2003 acquitted Tyson Foods and three former managers of conspiring to hire illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America for low-wage production jobs to boost profits. Two former Tyson managers who made plea deals were each sentenced to one year of probation.

The acquittal dealt a setback to the government's strategy of enforcing immigration laws by going after big business.

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