Most harvest and processing work ended Aug. 13 and 14. Tyson will keep paying employees covered by the closure notices through Oct. 12.
JOSLIN, Illinois — Tyson Foods is permanently closing its beef plant in Joslin. Illinois lawmakers estimate that the closure will eliminate about 2,500 union jobs in the Quad Cities region.
Harvest crews finished work on or around Thursday, Aug. 13. Processing crews finished on or around Friday, Aug. 14. Most employees will not work after those dates. However, management may keep a small number of specialized workers on the job for a short time.
Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Eric Sorensen provided the estimate of 2,500 union jobs in a joint statement about the Joslin closure. Tyson did not publish its own employee count.
Tyson will keep workers on payroll through Oct. 12
Tyson’s closure notices set Oct. 12, 2026, as the employment end date. As a result, the company will continue paying the workers who received those notices through that date.
Many employees will not return to the plant after Aug. 14. However, their employment will continue for almost two more months.
In addition, management may ask some employees to work beyond Aug. 14 to complete limited operations. Tyson will contact those workers individually.
Collective bargaining agreements set the rules for union workers who may have “bumping rights.” These rights can allow an employee to move into another job during a layoff. However, they only apply to certain union positions. Employees outside the bargaining units do not have those contractual rights.
Tyson will move work to Nebraska, Kansas and Texas
Tyson will move some of the Joslin plant’s work to other facilities. The company will base its beef business around plants in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas.
At the same time, Tyson will close its Eagle Mountain, Utah, facility. It also plans to sell its plant in Pasco, Washington.
Tyson cited a tight cattle supply as a reason for the changes. The company said recent federal data show that the shortage may continue. In addition, Tyson said it will help Joslin employees apply for open jobs at other company facilities. More information appears in Tyson’s beef network restructuring plan.
The Joslin decision follows another major Tyson closure in the Midwest. In 2024, the company closed its pork plant in Perry, Iowa, and eliminated 1,276 jobs. Hola America previously reported on the Tyson plant closure in Perry.
Rock Island center offers free job help
The American Job Center in Rock Island offers free computers, internet access and printers. Staff can also help with résumés, job applications, career searches and referrals to training programs.
The center operates at 500 42nd Street, Suite 6, in Rock Island. Its phone number is 309-429-6429. It opens from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, it closes at 2 p.m. The Rock Island American Job Center website lists its available services.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Employment Security accepts unemployment insurance applications online. Its website also provides claim information in Spanish.
However, Tyson’s notices state that employees will continue receiving compensation through Oct. 12. IDES can explain how workers must report that pay and will decide whether each applicant qualifies for benefits. Applications are available through the Illinois unemployment insurance page. Claimants can also call 800-244-5631.
Finally, Tyson will notify employees whose work continues beyond Aug. 14. For other affected workers, the closure notices list Oct. 12 as their final employment date.
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