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Workers Halt Strike at Major US Meatpacking Plant, Resume Negotiations
JBS USA agrees to reopen talks with union after three-week walkout at Greeley, Colorado facility.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:52am
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Workers at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants, the JBS Beef Plant in Greeley, Colorado, have agreed to return to work and halt a three-week strike after plant owner JBS USA agreed to resume negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union. The strike by thousands of workers began on March 16 as the U.S. cattle numbers hit a 75-year low and beef prices soared to record levels.
Why it matters
The strike at the JBS plant, the first at a U.S. slaughterhouse since 1985, highlighted ongoing tensions between workers and major meatpacking companies over wages and benefits as the industry grapples with supply chain challenges and rising costs. The resolution of the strike could impact beef prices and availability for consumers.
The details
Workers at the JBS Beef Plant in Greeley, Colorado walked off the job on March 16, demanding higher wages and better health care benefits from the plant's owner, JBS USA. The strike came as U.S. cattle numbers hit a 75-year low and beef prices reached record highs. After three weeks, the union announced that workers will return to work on Tuesday morning after JBS USA agreed to reopen negotiations later this week.
- The strike began on March 16, 2026.
- Workers will return to work on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
The players
JBS USA
The world's largest meatpacking company, with a market capitalization of $17 billion. JBS USA owns the Greeley, Colorado plant where the strike took place.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
The labor union representing workers at the JBS Beef Plant in Greeley, Colorado.
Kim Cordova
President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union.
What they’re saying
“Workers remain united and will continue to fight.”
— Kim Cordova, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
“Our Last, Best and Final offer remains on the table. We hope employees will have the opportunity to review and vote on it soon.”
— Nikki Richardson, Spokesperson, JBS USA
What’s next
The union and JBS USA are scheduled to resume negotiations later this week, with workers set to vote on the company's latest contract offer.
The takeaway
The resolution of the strike at the JBS plant in Greeley could have significant implications for the meatpacking industry and beef prices nationwide, as the sector continues to grapple with supply chain challenges and rising costs. The willingness of both sides to return to the negotiating table suggests a desire to find a compromise that addresses the concerns of workers while also ensuring the plant's continued operations.
