3,800 Workers Strike at Meatpacking Plant in Colorado

Beef prices could rise further as union and company dispute wages and labor practices

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:08pm

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About 3,800 workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, owned by JBS USA, began striking on Monday after the company and union failed to reach a new contract agreement. The union accused the company of unfair labor practices and offering wage increases below the rate of inflation in the state. Meanwhile, Public Storage announced plans to acquire National Storage Affiliates in a $10.5 billion all-stock deal that would create a self-storage giant with 4,600 locations across the U.S.

Why it matters

The strike at one of the nation's largest beef slaughterhouses could further drive up beef prices for U.S. consumers, who are already facing high inflation. The proposed self-storage merger would consolidate the industry and give the combined company more leverage to raise prices for customers.

The details

The workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, began picketing outside the Swift Beef plant in the early morning. Union officials accused JBS USA of retaliating against workers and committing other unfair labor practices, while the company denied any labor law violations and said its wage offer was fair. The two sides blamed each other for the impasse before the previous contract expired on Sunday night. Separately, Public Storage announced plans to acquire National Storage Affiliates in an all-stock deal worth about $10.5 billion, creating a self-storage giant with 327 million square feet of storage at nearly 4,600 locations across the U.S.

  • The workers began striking on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The previous contract between the union and JBS USA expired on Sunday night, March 15, 2026.

The players

Swift Beef Co.

A meatpacking plant owned by JBS USA, one of the largest beef slaughterhouses in the nation.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union

The union representing the 3,800 workers who went on strike at the Swift Beef plant.

JBS USA

The world's largest meatpacking company, which owns the Swift Beef plant in Greeley, Colorado.

Public Storage

The largest self-storage company in the U.S., which announced plans to acquire National Storage Affiliates.

National Storage Affiliates

The fourth-largest self-storage company in the U.S., which is being acquired by Public Storage.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between workers and major corporations in the meatpacking industry, where wages and labor practices have been a longstanding point of contention. Meanwhile, the proposed self-storage merger reflects the continued consolidation of the real estate industry as companies seek to gain market share and pricing power.