SIOUX CITY, SD. — Following Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott’s efforts to inhibit the relocation of Tyson Foods’ employees from the Dakota Dunes, SD, corporate offices, Tyson President and Chief Executive Officer Donnie King held a meeting for Dakota Dunes team members only, according to media reports.

On Oct. 12, King met with the Dakota Dunes employees to answer questions about the transition.

A day before King’s meeting, Mayor Bob Scott requested support from the tri-state governors to prevent Tyson Foods Inc. from closing its Dakota Dunes office as a part of the OneTyson movement.

“To lose 580 really good employees in this area is just really tough to swallow,” Scott said. “I would like to think that we have three governors whose communities are going to be terribly adversely affected by this that they would get together and go see the people at Tyson, write letters, do whatever.”

Early in October, Tyson announced its plans to relocate all corporate employees under one roof, requiring workers in Dakota Dunes, Chicago and Downers Grove, Ill., to either move to Springdale, Ark., or be opt for a severance package, determined on an individual basis.

While the Dakota Dunes offices are to be closed, Tyson will continue to operate its cold storage facility in Sioux City, Iowa and its flagship Dakota City, Neb. facility, which employs around 4,500 people.