A new antitrust lawsuit filed in federal court in Oklahoma alleges that several leading U.S. poultry processors colluded to limit the hiring and compensation of chicken growers. The proposed class action accuses companies including Foster Farms, Mountaire, George’s, and House of Raeford of engaging in a coordinated effort to suppress grower wages and restrict competition in recruitment.
According to the complaint, poultry growers—who are responsible for providing land, labor, and equipment to raise chickens for processing—have been subjected to a “no-poach” agreement between processors. This alleged agreement prevented companies from recruiting growers away from one another, ultimately keeping compensation below market levels and eliminating fair negotiation.
The case expands on earlier lawsuits that targeted other major processors like Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson Foods for similar practices. Both companies previously reached settlements without admitting liability, with Pilgrim’s agreeing to a $100 million payment and Tyson to $21 million. A judge had previously ruled that over 24,000 growers could pursue damages collectively, potentially reaching up to $924 million.
This latest lawsuit, brought on behalf of growers in several states including Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, seeks financial compensation and a legal injunction to halt further anticompetitive behavior. The case is titled Haff Poultry et al v. Mountaire Farms Inc et al, and it adds to the growing legal scrutiny of labor practices within the U.S. meat and poultry industry.
