Colorado Union Workers Reach Tentative Deal with JBS Meat Plant

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 and JBS have agreed to a new contract after a three-week strike.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of freshly packaged meat products on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the abstract concepts of corporate strategy and finance in the meat processing industry.A new labor agreement could bring stability to a major Colorado meat processing plant after weeks of disruption.Denver Today

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents around 3,800 workers at a JBS meat processing plant in Northern Colorado, has reached a tentative agreement with the company after a three-week strike over unfair labor practices and low wages. The new contract will be presented to union members for a ratification vote on Sunday.

Why it matters

This deal could end a contentious labor dispute that disrupted operations at one of the largest meat processing facilities in the region. The outcome of the vote will impact thousands of workers and the local economy that relies on the plant.

The details

The union held a three-week strike beginning in March over what it called unfair labor practices and low wages. The company and the labor union announced that workers would return to work on Tuesday without a new agreement or change to JBS's offer. However, the two parties returned to the bargaining table for two days of negotiations, leading to the tentative agreement.

  • The strike began in March 2026.
  • Workers returned to the JBS plant on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The tentative agreement was reached on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • The contract will be presented to union members for a ratification vote on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

A labor union representing approximately 3,800 workers at the JBS meat processing plant in Northern Colorado.

JBS

A major meat processing company that operates the plant in Northern Colorado where the union workers are employed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The tentative agreement will be presented to the union membership for a ratification vote on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The takeaway

This deal represents a potential resolution to a labor dispute that disrupted operations at a major meat processing facility in Colorado. If ratified, it could provide stability for thousands of workers and the local economy that relies on the plant.