Employee Benefit Plans - defined benefit plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 25, 2012		Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 28, 2010
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Curtailment (gain) loss	$ (2,391)		$ 129	$ 106
Pension plans, defined benefit [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Service cost	8,952		10,241	7,794
Interest cost	57,635		60,314	59,680
Expected return on plan assets	(52,029)		(52,959)	(46,085)
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost	(78)	[1]	47	453
Amortization of actuarial loss	12,612		14,908	26,660
Curtailment (gain) loss	(2,391)		129	106
Special termination benefit	159		120	312
Net settlement loss	383		714	425
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	25,243		33,514	49,345
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain	110,262	[2]	84,593
Amortization of prior service benefit (cost)	78	[1]	(47)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(12,612)		(14,908)
Curtailment gain (loss)	192		(3,064)
Net settlement loss	(77)		(338)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	97,843		66,236
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (income) and accumulated other comprehensive loss	123,086		99,750
Other postretirement benefit plans, defined benefit [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost (income):
Service cost	397		478	474
Interest cost	6,634		7,629	8,674
Expected return on plan assets	0		0	0
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost	(16,356)	[1]	(28,945)	(29,566)
Amortization of actuarial loss	5,157		5,025	5,608
Curtailment (gain) loss	0		0	0
Special termination benefit	0		0	0
Net settlement loss	0		0	0
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(4,168)		(15,813)	(14,810)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain	10,408	[2]	2,324
Amortization of prior service benefit (cost)	16,356	[2]	28,945
Amortization of actuarial loss	(5,157)		(5,025)
Curtailment gain (loss)	0		0
Net settlement loss	0		0
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	21,607		26,244
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost (income) and accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 17,439		$ 10,431

[1] Postretirement benefits amortization of prior service benefit recognized during each of years 2012, 2011, and 2010 relates primarily to the favorable impact of the February 2004 and August 2003 plan amendments.

[2] Reflects the impact of the changes in the discount rate assumptions at year-end remeasurement for the pension and postretirement benefit plans for 2012 and 2011.