Posted at: 11/01/2012 12:26 PM

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Tyson Would Pay $950K in Deal to Settle Iowa Case

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) - Tyson Foods, Inc. would pay $950,000 under the proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit covering 1,200 workers at a Council Bluffs meat processing plant who claimed wage violations, but most of the money would go to lawyers.

Court documents filed Wednesday show Tyson Foods reached the tentative agreement with workers' attorneys, and both sides are seeking a judge's approval.

The deal would reimburse plaintiffs' lawyers $340,000 for out-of-pocket costs and award $309,000 in attorneys' fees.

Current and former workers dating back to 2006 could claim payments from a $271,000 pot, based on factors such as how much they worked and their specific jobs.

The lawsuit claimed Tyson should've paid employees for time spent putting on and cleaning clothes and equipment and sharpening knives before and after shifts. Tyson denies wrongdoing.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
 

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