SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Leland Tollett, interim chief executive officer of Tyson Foods Inc., on Friday told company employees that bringing the poultry division is at the top of his list of objectives.

Tollett was named interim CEO last week after the sudden departure of former CEO Dick Bond. His comments were part of an internal video message to employees.

“Whatever it takes is how long I’ll be here,” he said, noting his status as interim CEO could be a few months or longer, if necessary. “We’ve got good people in just about every area of responsibility…and I’m looking forward to working with them.

Tollett reportedly told employees that he supports continuing Tyson’s current key strategies, which include developing new products customers need, improving operational efficiencies, continuing international expansion and remaining focused on ways to add value to by-products.

He noted Tyson’s other divisions, including pork and beef, are doing well and no changes are planned for them.

Tollett said the structure of the poultry division has been rearranged. He said that some corporate positions have been eliminated but no major layoffs are planned.

Source: Tyson Foods Inc.

WASHINGTON – The effective date for a rule requiring federal subcontractors to use E-Verify has been suspended until Feb. 20.

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Secretariat rule would have reportedly required subcontractors of any tier to use the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system to check the eligibility of employees. The rule was scheduled to begin on Jan. 15.

Reports said that an announcement of the suspension is expected to be published in the Federal Register this week. Any solicitations that take place before Feb. 20 will not have the clauses from the rule.

Organizations such as the American Meat Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have opposed the rule. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said last week it will file a motion for summary judgment in its lawsuit challenging the rule in U.S. District Court.

Source: American Meat Institute