Thousands of Colorado Meatpacking Workers Strike Over Wages, Conditions

JBS plant in Greeley hit by largest U.S. meatpacking strike in decades

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:34pm

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Nearly 4,000 workers at one of the country's largest meatpacking plants, the JBS facility in Greeley, Colorado, began an unfair labor practices strike on Monday over wages, working conditions, and alleged union-busting by the plant's corporate owner.

Why it matters

The Greeley walkout is believed to be the largest strike at a U.S. meatpacking facility in decades, highlighting the ongoing tensions between workers and major meat processing companies over pay, safety, and union rights in an industry that has seen significant consolidation in recent years.

The details

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 voted nearly unanimously last month to authorize the strike, accusing JBS of offering 'poverty-level wages' and putting 'all the risk of rising healthcare costs on workers.' The union also alleges that the company has created dangerous working conditions by increasing processing speeds while cutting worker hours and failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment.

  • The strike began on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The previous four-year collective bargaining agreement between the union and JBS expired in July.

The players

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

The labor union representing nearly 4,000 workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado.

JBS

A multinational meatpacking company based in Brazil that owns the Greeley plant, one of the largest in the country.

Kim Cordova

President of UFCW Local 7.

Deborah Rodarte

A worker at the JBS Greeley plant.

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What they’re saying

“For months now, JBS has been insisting on poverty-level wages for workers at the plant, offering less than 2% in average annual wage increases, far below the level of inflation in Colorado, while at the same time putting all the risk of rising healthcare costs on workers.”

— Kim Cordova, President, UFCW Local 7 (Utah News Dispatch)

“We want to be treated like human beings. We will not be intimidated, retaliated against, or suffer in silence. We work very hard, in difficult conditions, and want JBS to negotiate fairly for a contract that will allow us to live with dignity. We will stand together on the picket line until JBS recognizes our value and treats us fairly.”

— Deborah Rodarte, Worker, JBS Greeley plant (Utah News Dispatch)

What’s next

The union says the unfair labor practices strike is planned to last two weeks.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between workers and major meatpacking companies over wages, safety, and union rights in an industry that has seen significant consolidation in recent years, with workers demanding better treatment and companies resisting union demands.