The JBS meat processing plant in Greeley, Colo., went on strike Monday demanding higher wages and safer working conditions. File Photo by Bill Greenblat/UPI | License Photo
Workers at a JBS plant in Greeley, Colo., went on strike Monday morning, demanding higher wages and safer working conditions.
The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Local 7 union represents 3,800 workers at the plant and accuses JBS of demanding more out of staff, reducing hours and creating unsafe working conditions.
“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 gives workers no choice but to stand together in solidarity and show the company that they cannot be silenced,” UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova said in a statement.
Cordova said the plant has sped up the production line. The number of animals to process went from 390 per hour to 420.
Workers also want the company to reimburse them for protective gear.
“JBS has been charging many workers $1,100 or more in order to offset the company’s expenses for life-saving equipment needed to ensure worker safety,” a union press release said.
Cordova said the company wants to raise wages by 60 cents per hour in the first year and 30 cents per year for the next two, which is similar to a national agreement the company made last year with other unions, The Colorado Sun reported.
But Colorado has a higher cost of living, and employees’ health care premiums have risen.
“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,” Cordova said.
JBS issued a statement: “We stand by the offer we presented. 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. UFCW Local 7 has refused to let team members vote on this offer. “
Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., issued a statement in support of the workers.
”The right to bargain collectively is how working people win fair deals, and that’s exactly what JBS workers are doing. They are the backbone of this company and deserve to share in its success. A fair agreement is within reach. Both sides should stay at the table until the deal is done,” he said.
JBS, based in Brazil, is the largest meat production company in the world. The Greeley plant is known as the Swift Beef Company.
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