GREELEY, COLO. – Pilgrim's Pride Corp. announced on Jan. 24 a $4.5 million annualized wage increase for the employees at its Mayfield facility in Graves County, Ky. The company said the $2 per hour pay increase will make starting wages $16.50 per hour at the plant.

The area was recently hit in December 2021 by a major outbreak of tornadoes.   

“The community of Mayfield has suffered through an incredibly challenging time and as a critical employer in the county, Pilgrim’s is committed to help bring back Mayfield stronger than ever,” said Fabio Sandri, Pilgrim’s chief executive officer. “We previously committed $1 million in tornado relief and today, we are significantly increasing wages for the men and women of Mayfield who produce food for families everywhere. We are proud members of this community, and we hope our investments will help strengthen the region moving forward.”

Pilgrim’s said the pay increase, which was negotiated with the UFCW Local 227, will be additional to the $1 million tornado recovery assistance.
 
 “I am grateful for all our team members in Mayfield who are extremely deserving of this wage increase,” said Kent Massey, Pilgrim’s Mayfield complex manager. “We remain focused on supporting not just our team members and their families but also our neighbors and the broader community.”
 
 Pilgrim’s Mayfield facility employs more than 1,500 people and is supplied by 235 poultry growers in the area.