SEATTLE -- The Labor Department said Washington Beef has agreed to pay $50,000 in back wages to a former employee who was fired for taking medical leave from the packing plant at Toppenish.

Investigators found the worker was unlawfully terminated in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The employee worked on the killing floor, handling beef hearts and livers during processing.

Washington Beef is a subsidiary of Boise-based Agri Beef Co. It employs almost 900 people in the Yakima Valley.