Thousands go on strike at Greeley's JBS meatpacking plant
GREELEY, Colo. — More than 3,000 union workers went on strike at the JBS-owned Swift Beef Co. plant early Monday morning, marking the first walkout at a beef slaughterhouse in the U.S. since the 1980s, union organizers said.
The strike follows months of negotiations between union representatives and JBS. Key demands from the union include higher wages, new policies surrounding safety equipment and lower health care premiums for employees.
On Feb. 4, 99% of union workers at the plant, one of the largest in the nation, voted to authorize a strike. If not resolved, the strike could drive beef prices higher.
Last year, the U.S. cattle population hit a 75-year low and beef prices rose 11% to 25%, depending on the cut. President Donald Trump recently moved to increase beef imports from Argentina, a move Colorado ranchers criticized.
The mood on the picket line was jubilant Monday. Some strikers danced to Haitian music that blasted from a handheld boombox. Others staved off the cold by marching.
“For what we do, we are not paid enough. We’re the backbone of the company. Without us, they couldn’t run,” said Jennifer Lynn, 26, who has worked at the plant for six years.
Lynn earns $23.25 an hour working on the production line. Her shift lasts from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. To make ends meet, she said she works a double shift three times a week.
“They don’t care about our safety,” said Lynn, who said supervisors run the line faster than workers can handle.
“The goal of negotiations is never to go on strike, but when the Company violates workers’ rights and ignores workers’ concerns about safety and health, the Company give workers no choice but to stand together in solidarity and show the Company that they cannot be silenced,” Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, said in a March 9 press release.
JBS is standing by its current offer.
“It is strong, fair, and consistent with the historic national contract reached in 2025 in partnership with UFCW International — an agreement that has already delivered higher wages, a secure pension, and long‑term financial stability for team members at our other major facilities,” JBS said in a statement.
Other employees at the strike mentioned the high cost employees face to replace personal protective equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged. Some equipment costs more than $1,000, according to employees.
“It's pretty awesome we're here standing for each other,” employee Adriana Perez said. “If we don't stand for us, then who does?”
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