IBP Workers Awarded $3 Million on Pay Issue

A federal judge has awarded more than $3 million to workers at an IBP Inc. meat processing plant who were not paid for time spent putting on protective equipment before shifts or cleaning off blood, animal fat and bits of carcasses afterward, their attorneys said.

U.S. District Judge Robert Whaley ordered IBP, now a unit of the largest U.S. meat group, Tyson Foods Inc., to compensate 815 current and former employees of the Pasco, Wash., plant. Whaley also awarded double damages on some counts in the class action.

The decision may expose IBP to similar lawsuits at other plants, said Corrie Yackulic, an attorney for the workers.

IBP said it expected to appeal the decision. “Contrary to the claims made, we pay our team members for all of the production time worked,” IBP said.