Meatpacking Strike Halted as JBS Agrees to Resume Talks

Amazon to Add Surcharge on Third-Party Sellers Amid Fuel Price Spike

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:12pm

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Workers at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants in Greeley, Colorado have agreed to return to work and halt a three-week strike after plant owner JBS USA agreed to resume contract negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union. Meanwhile, Amazon is implementing a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on third-party sellers using its platform starting in mid-April due to rising fuel costs.

Why it matters

The meatpacking strike highlighted ongoing labor tensions in the industry as cattle numbers hit a 75-year low and beef prices soared. The Amazon surcharge reflects broader supply chain challenges facing online retailers due to the spike in fuel prices since the start of the war in Iran.

The details

The strike by thousands of workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley began on March 16 as the union sought higher wages and better health care benefits. The strike came as U.S. cattle numbers declined, driving up beef prices. Amazon's new 3.5% surcharge on third-party sellers using its fulfillment services is intended to partially offset the company's increased fuel and logistics costs, which it says are 'meaningfully' lower than surcharges applied by other major carriers.

  • The meatpacking strike began on March 16, 2026.
  • Workers will return to the Swift Beef Co. plant on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Amazon's 3.5% surcharge on third-party sellers will take effect on April 17, 2026.

The players

JBS USA

The owner of the Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

The labor union representing workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant.

Amazon

The e-commerce giant that is implementing a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on third-party sellers using its platform.

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What they’re saying

“Workers remain united and will continue to fight.”

— Kim Cordova, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

“Elevated costs in fuel and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry.”

— Amazon

What’s next

The union and JBS USA are scheduled to resume contract negotiations later this week.

The takeaway

The meatpacking strike and Amazon's surcharge highlight the ongoing supply chain challenges and labor tensions facing the U.S. economy, as businesses grapple with rising costs and workers demand better pay and benefits.