Workers at a second JBS-owned meat plant authorize strike
DENVER — Less than two weeks after the three-week strike at the meatpacking behemoth JBS in Greeley ended, the company is facing the possibility of a second strike in Denver.
Ninety-seven percent of workers at Denver Processing, owned by JBS, voted April 24 to authorize a strike. Located near Alameda Avenue and Federal Boulevard, Denver Processing supplies meat to Kroger-owned stores throughout the Southwest.
The union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, claimed Denver Processing has engaged in bad-faith negotiations, failed to engage with union proposals on safety and scheduling and disciplined committee members who attended bargaining sessions.
“We came to the table ready to negotiate a fair contract. Instead, Denver Processing wasted our time, retaliated against our committee members, and refused to seriously engage with our proposals on safety and scheduling,” said Natalia Gonzalez, a Denver Processing worker and UFCW Local 7 member in a press release. “Our members are united, and we are prepared to do what is necessary to hold this company accountable.
“Throughout this process, we have negotiated in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair agreement that supports our team members and recognizes their hard work,” Nikki Richardson, spokesperson for JBS, said in a written statement.
Richardson said that JBS’ proposals included “meaningful wage increases” and a one-time bonus for employees.
The strike at JBS-owned Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley that began March 16 marked the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since 1985, when workers at a Hormel Foods plant went on strike for 13 months.
The contract Greeley workers signed with JBS following the strike included a 70 cent per hour pay bump in July, and 40 cent per hour raises in each of the following two years. The agreement also limited health care costs for employees, added more vacation days and required JBS to pay for protective equipment, according to Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7.
Both sides will return to negotiations in Denver May 4. UFCW Local 7 must provide 72 hours notice before a strike begins.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.
