Greeley Meatpacking Workers Prepare for Potential Strike

Union workers at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado are planning for what could become the nation's first meatpacker strike in decades.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Union workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado are preparing to potentially launch a strike, protesting unsafe working conditions and an expired contract. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union, which represents nearly 3,800 JBS workers, is training picket captains and making picket signs as they decide whether to call for a walkout by February 20th, the one day JBS has agreed to negotiate.

Why it matters

A strike at the Greeley JBS plant, one of the largest beef processors in the U.S., would be the first nationwide meatpacker strike in decades. It highlights ongoing tensions between unions and meatpacking companies over worker safety and contract negotiations, as well as the potential impact on the broader U.S. beef supply chain.

The details

The union's contract with JBS expired in late July, and workers have been on an extended contract since then. The union can end the extension with seven days' notice. Union president Kim Cordova said that if JBS does not return to the bargaining table and resolve unfair labor practice claims, the union will pull the extension and call for a strike.

  • The previous union contract with JBS expired in late July 2025.
  • JBS has agreed to negotiate with the union on February 20, 2026.

The players

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

The union that represents nearly 3,800 workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado.

Kim Cordova

The president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.

JBS

One of the largest beef processors in the U.S., operating the meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“If JBS does not return to the bargaining table and they don't resolve the unfair labor practices, then we will pull the extension.”

— Kim Cordova, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 (Colorado Sun)

What’s next

The union will decide by February 20th whether to call for a strike, the one day JBS has agreed to negotiate with the union.

The takeaway

This potential strike at the Greeley JBS plant highlights the ongoing tensions between unions and meatpacking companies over worker safety and contract negotiations. A walkout could have significant impacts on the broader U.S. beef supply chain.