Production will stop at the Tyson plant in York, Nebraska with the loss of 110 jobs. The work will subsequently be moved to one of the company’s other meat processing operations.

Tyson said that those affected will continue to receive pay and benefits until 17 June and production at the plant will end on or before that date.

The workers will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Tyson locations and, in some cases, will be offered cash incentives.

"Given the dynamics of the meat business, we must continually pursue ways to operate more efficiently," said Roy Slaughter, vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods Operations for Tyson.

"After careful consideration, we have decided it will be more efficient for another, larger operation to absorb the work done at York."

The York plant produces uncooked meats such as flat iron steak and the Shaved Steak® brand, as well as other sliced beef and pork items for various retail and foodservice customers. Tyson plans to move some of the equipment from York to the company’s recently restructured meat processing operation in Emporia, Kansas, which employs more than 700 people. Company officials currently believe the existing workforce at Emporia is capable of handling York’s production with very little additional staffing.

"We want to thank our York Team Members for their hard work over the years and also thank the York community for its support of our operation," Mr Slaughter said.

The York facility was originally built as a pork slaughter plant in 1952. It has since been remodeled and operated by numerous companies over the years including IBP, inc., which was purchased by Tyson Foods in 2001.