3,800 workers are set to strike Monday at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants

[jltrent]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-800-workers-set-strike-041129041.html

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — About 3,800 workers at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants were set to strike Monday morning in Colorado in what union representatives said would be the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s.

The strike at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley was set to begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT, said Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents the workers.

It follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. A previous contract was due to expire at midnight Sunday.

The expected strike comes at a 75-year low for the U.S. cattle population, with a Jan. 1 inventory of 86.2 million animals -- down 1% from the prior year. Beef prices have added to economic anxiety in the U.S., while the administration of President Donald Trump has turned to a trade deal with Argentina in efforts to lower prices for food, including beef.


It also follows the January closure of a meatpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska, which was expected to ripple through the local economy and community.

At the Greeley plant, the company tried to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings, union general counsel Matt Shechter said.

Cordova said 99% of workers voted to authorize the strike. No formal negotiations took place over the weekend after the company refused a union request to negotiate on Saturday, Shechter said.



JBS USA said in statement that any employee who didn’t want to strike would have work and be paid. The company said it would operate two shifts at the plant Monday and would temporarily move production as needed to other JBS facilities.

The statement said the company operates in full compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.

The statement said the company operates in full compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.

“Our goal is to minimize impact to our customers, our partners, and the broader marketplace while we work toward a fair resolution in Greeley,” the company said.

It's the first strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse since workers walked out at a Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985, Cordova said. That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.

 

[mwj]

Look at the workforce and I can not see them going on strike. That tells me conditions are bad. The primary workforce seems to be from several small African countries that are here on special work permits arranged by JBS.

JBS operates world wide and is aware of the last pockets of cheap labor to exploit.

 

[jltrent]

https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/16/jbs-strike-greeley-meat-packing-industry-colorado/

Thousands of union workers employed by the largest meatpacking company in the U.S. went on strike early Monday morning, calling for higher wages and safer working conditions at the JBS facility in Greeley.

Before sunrise, with the temperature hovering around 20 degrees, hundreds of employees, some with blankets draped over their shoulders, walked a picket line carrying signs asking people not to patronize the company.

The union, which represents 3,800 workers at the plant, has accused JBS of trying to squeeze more out of staff while reducing hours and creating an unsafe work environment. Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said the plant has increased the speed of the production line, processing 420 animals per hour, up from 390. As well as higher wages, workers want reimbursement of protective gear, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

“This is an historic moment in time to see workers come out like this,” Cordova said Monday morning while standing with workers on the picket line. “It’s a real showing of worker power.”

Strikers booed cars turning into the plant and a passerby shouted “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, you can!”) as people huddled in small groups. Union reps yelled “keep walking” to strikers that stalled on the line.

The union has filed a handful of complaints with the National Labor Relations Board alleging retaliation and change to terms and conditions of employment by JBS, also known as Swift Beef Company.

Striking employees carry picket signs near the JBS meatpacking plant Monday in Greeley. Approximately 3,800 meatpackers are on strike after the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 bargaining committee voted to end an extension of an expired contract. (Tanya Fabian, Special to The Colorado Sun)
JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson said in an email that the company has spent the past eight months in discussions with union members over a new contract.

Cordova said JBS’s proposal to raise wages by 60 cents an hour in the first year and 30 cents annually for the next two years is similar to a national agreement the company made with unions in other states last year, but that it does not cover Colorado’s higher cost of living.

“JBS is trying to force us to take the national agreement,” she said. “But the health care costs increased 22 cents an hour (so) those folks got an 8-cent increase. That’s not gonna work for us.”

Richardson previously called the latest offer “strong, fair and consistent with the historic national contract reached in 2025 in partnership with UFCW International.”

This is the first strike for the meatpacking industry since a national-level one occurred at Hormel Foods in Minnesota in 1985.



JBS employees have been working on an extension of the expired contract since July and gave a seven-day notice that they planned to strike.

 

[SBMF 2015]

I read an article last week after they voted to strike that said they turned down a contract offer from JBS that several other beef plant employees had signed. If it was good enough for the other plants then it will probably be a long strike. No sense in JBS budging.

 

[branxchar&charx]

I read an article last week after they voted to strike that said they turned down a contract offer from JBS that several other beef plant employees had signed. If it was good enough for the other plants then it will probably be a long strike. No sense in JBS budging.

I read they blamed it on Colorado's cost of living is higher, so what the other plants accepted, is insufficient for them.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I looked through the photos of strikers on various news sites. I did not see a lot of Africans, I saw a whole lot of Hispanics and a great many women.

CHICAGO, March 16 (Reuters) - Striking JBS (Z98.F), opens new tab employees took to the streets of Greeley, Colorado, before sunrise on Monday to picket against the world's largest meat company, in a rare labor stoppage at a U.S. meatpacking plant and a sign of upheaval in the beef industry.
The union representing about 3,800 employees ‌at the beef processing facility said it was the first time U.S. meatpacking workers had gone on strike in four decades. They launched a two-week strike and will remain on the picket lines until JBS negotiates fairly with workers, the union said.
The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.


Workers have faced off with the company over wage increases they say fall short of inflation, and over charges for safety equipment. JBS has said it made a fair offer.
The dispute reduces U.S. beef production capacity at a time when consumers face record prices for hamburgers and steaks and President Donald Trump has struggled to make good on a pledge to cool costs. Prices soared after a years-long drought ⁠burned up grazing lands and drove ranchers to slash their herds to the lowest level in 75 years.
Normally, meatpackers briskly slaughter cattle to feed retail demand for beef. But tight cattle supplies have forced processors to pay steep costs for cattle, likely leaving JBS less incentivized to resolve the strike quickly, economists said.

"Why would you be in a hurry if you're already losing money on running that plant?" said Altin Kalo, economist for Steiner Consulting Group.
Processors last month were losing more than $300 per head on each animal they slaughtered, according to Denver-based livestock marketing advisory service HedgersEdge.com. On Monday, profits were estimated at about $60 per head. Margins improved recently as the looming strike helped pressure cattle prices, while beef demand stayed strong, analysts said.

WORKERS JOIN PICKET LINE​

Workers marched with red and white signs that read "Please do not patronize JBS" as they kicked off the strike, according to a video the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union posted on social media.
"We want to be treated like human beings," JBS employee Deborah Rodarte said in a ‌statement from ⁠the union.

JBS curtailed production at the facility ahead of the strike last week and said on Friday it planned to start running one of two shifts on Monday. The company's ability to process beef was unclear since the union said it represents all production workers.
"This morning, many JBS Greeley team members chose to report to work rather than participate in the strike called by UFCW Local 7, and we expect that number to continue increasing in the days ahead," JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson said.
Meatpackers face hefty costs to run processing plants and typically seek to ⁠operate at peak capacity to keep operations efficient. JBS has said it will shift production as needed to other facilities that have excess processing capacity.

MEATPACKERS GAIN LEVERAGE​

The strike further reduced U.S. processing capacity, after Tyson Foods (TSN.N), opens new tab closed a beef plant in Nebraska this year and reduced operations at a Texas facility.

The lost capacity gives meatpackers more leverage over cattle feeders when negotiating deals for livestock, ⁠analysts said. Some feeders were rerouting their shipments to other facilities during the dispute.
The disruption in Greeley could ultimately raise costs further for consumers, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, an industry group.
"Even though the U.S. cattle herd is at record lows, limiting processing capacity and reducing the number of available plants will still rattle markets, squeezing ⁠producers with market ready cattle and raising beef prices for consumers," the association said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was monitoring the impact on the nation’s beef supply.
Retail prices for 100% beef ground chuck set a record $6.70 per pound last month, up about 17% from a year earlier, U.S. government data show.
Some consumers have shifted to less expensive types of meat, though analysts said demand for beef remained robust.
Reporting by Tom Polansek. Editing by Emily Schmall and Aurora Ellis

 

[SBMF 2015]

I read they blamed it on Colorado's cost of living is higher, so what the other plants accepted, is insufficient for them.

I read that also, but I doubt JBS really cares.
What I read today was that JBS said any employee that wanted to go to work today the plant would be open 1st and 2nd shift. The article went on to say they didn’t know how many employees showed up to work today but that there were signs that the plant looked at least in part operational today.

 

[Chuckie]

I looked through the photos of strikers on various news sites. I did not see a lot of Africans, I saw a whole lot of Hispanics and a great many women.

CHICAGO, March 16 (Reuters) - Striking JBS (Z98.F), opens new tab employees took to the streets of Greeley, Colorado, before sunrise on Monday to picket against the world's largest meat company, in a rare labor stoppage at a U.S. meatpacking plant and a sign of upheaval in the beef industry.
The union representing about 3,800 employees ‌at the beef processing facility said it was the first time U.S. meatpacking workers had gone on strike in four decades. They launched a two-week strike and will remain on the picket lines until JBS negotiates fairly with workers, the union said.
The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.


Workers have faced off with the company over wage increases they say fall short of inflation, and over charges for safety equipment. JBS has said it made a fair offer.
The dispute reduces U.S. beef production capacity at a time when consumers face record prices for hamburgers and steaks and President Donald Trump has struggled to make good on a pledge to cool costs. Prices soared after a years-long drought ⁠burned up grazing lands and drove ranchers to slash their herds to the lowest level in 75 years.
Normally, meatpackers briskly slaughter cattle to feed retail demand for beef. But tight cattle supplies have forced processors to pay steep costs for cattle, likely leaving JBS less incentivized to resolve the strike quickly, economists said.

"Why would you be in a hurry if you're already losing money on running that plant?" said Altin Kalo, economist for Steiner Consulting Group.
Processors last month were losing more than $300 per head on each animal they slaughtered, according to Denver-based livestock marketing advisory service HedgersEdge.com. On Monday, profits were estimated at about $60 per head. Margins improved recently as the looming strike helped pressure cattle prices, while beef demand stayed strong, analysts said.

WORKERS JOIN PICKET LINE​

Workers marched with red and white signs that read "Please do not patronize JBS" as they kicked off the strike, according to a video the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union posted on social media.
"We want to be treated like human beings," JBS employee Deborah Rodarte said in a ‌statement from ⁠the union.

JBS curtailed production at the facility ahead of the strike last week and said on Friday it planned to start running one of two shifts on Monday. The company's ability to process beef was unclear since the union said it represents all production workers.
"This morning, many JBS Greeley team members chose to report to work rather than participate in the strike called by UFCW Local 7, and we expect that number to continue increasing in the days ahead," JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson said.
Meatpackers face hefty costs to run processing plants and typically seek to ⁠operate at peak capacity to keep operations efficient. JBS has said it will shift production as needed to other facilities that have excess processing capacity.

MEATPACKERS GAIN LEVERAGE​

The strike further reduced U.S. processing capacity, after Tyson Foods (TSN.N), opens new tab closed a beef plant in Nebraska this year and reduced operations at a Texas facility.

The lost capacity gives meatpackers more leverage over cattle feeders when negotiating deals for livestock, ⁠analysts said. Some feeders were rerouting their shipments to other facilities during the dispute.
The disruption in Greeley could ultimately raise costs further for consumers, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, an industry group.
"Even though the U.S. cattle herd is at record lows, limiting processing capacity and reducing the number of available plants will still rattle markets, squeezing ⁠producers with market ready cattle and raising beef prices for consumers," the association said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was monitoring the impact on the nation’s beef supply.
Retail prices for 100% beef ground chuck set a record $6.70 per pound last month, up about 17% from a year earlier, U.S. government data show.
Some consumers have shifted to less expensive types of meat, though analysts said demand for beef remained robust.
Reporting by Tom Polansek. Editing by Emily Schmall and Aurora Ellis

A record of $6.70? If I could get it at that price, I would buy it. It was $7.70 a pound in Walmart a few weeks ago in Gibson County, Tennessee. Each time I go to the grocery store, I walk past the beef counter to see where prices are that day.

Just did the math at Ruler Foods, a division of Kroger. They were selling 3 lbs of ground beef at $6.63 a pound.

 

[mwj]

I have read that the offer was around 30cents this year. The bad thing about Greeley is you have to go out a long distance to find housing that fits the pay. It is a mess all around.

 

[Dave]

A record of $6.70? If I could get it at that price, I would buy it. It was $7.70 a pound in Walmart a few weeks ago in Gibson County, Tennessee. Each time I go to the grocery store, I walk past the beef counter to see where prices are that day.

Just did the math at Ruler Foods, a division of Kroger. They were selling 3 lbs of ground beef at $6.63 a pound.

I don't remember what the price was at Winco on Saturday. But it was less than $6.70 for the good lean burger, The 70/30 burger was in the $4.70 range. Next time we go I will take notes.

 

[mwj]

I wonder if they took in any cattle today. I can see the people on the dock running forklifts loading trucks showing up. I don't think there are any new folks wanting to put on a helmet and padded gear to shackle cattle rolling out of the stun box. Time will tell.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

If they are processing the kill line faster because of fewer employees I wonder for the cattle's sake if they have enough people to make a clean stun.

 

[Brute 23]

Not looking good for workers.

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