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Greeley Beef Plant Strike Sparks Concerns Over Local Economy
LULAC warns of potential economic fallout from JBS meatpacking plant strike in Greeley, Colorado.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:03am
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Almost 4,000 workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado went on strike on Monday, raising concerns from the state's League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) director about the potential economic impact on small businesses and families in the area.
Why it matters
The JBS plant is a major employer in Greeley and Weld County, so a prolonged strike could have significant ripple effects on the local economy, especially for small businesses and low-income families who rely on the plant workers' income.
The details
The strike began on Monday morning with nearly 3,800 JBS plant workers walking off the job. LULAC's state director Sonny Subia warned that the "employees are a huge part of the economy" and that "small businesses and children will be collateral damage during a strike." Local barber Lupe Guzman said the strike is already impacting his business, which is now "empty" compared to its usual busy schedule. Worker Karen Espinoza said she will have to "live on the basics" and budget carefully during the strike.
- The strike began on Monday, March 17, 2026.
The players
Sonny Subia
The state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Colorado.
Karen Espinoza
One of the nearly 3,800 JBS meatpacking plant workers who went on strike in Greeley.
Lupe Guzman
A barber at the Xclusive barbershop near downtown Greeley who is concerned about the impact of the strike on his business.
Gabby Espinoza
A JBS plant worker who is already planning to cut back spending during the strike.
JBS
The meatpacking company that operates the plant in Greeley where nearly 4,000 workers went on strike.
What they’re saying
“The employees are a huge part of the economy. Small businesses and children will be collateral damage during a strike.”
— Sonny Subia, State Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (KDVR)
“It's going to be very tight to be on a budget, just because of what's going on, it's pretty sad.”
— Karen Espinoza, JBS Plant Worker (KDVR)
“They are a little worried about where they are going to shop because inflation is already high, you know?”
— Lupe Guzman, Barber, Xclusive Barbershop (KDVR)
“You've got to think of everything. How much food you're going to buy. What are you going to buy? What you can afford? You have to just live on the basics for now.”
— Gabby Espinoza, JBS Plant Worker (KDVR)
What’s next
LULAC's director Sonny Subia said the organization is hoping the strike is short-lived, and many others in the Greeley community expressed the same hope.
The takeaway
This strike at the major JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley highlights the potential for significant economic fallout in the local community, especially for small businesses and low-income families who rely on the plant workers' income. The situation underscores the delicate balance between labor rights and the broader economic impacts of labor disputes.
