Workers Halt Strike at Major US Meatpacking Plant, Resume Negotiations

JBS USA agrees to reopen talks with union after three-week walkout at Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:18am

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Workers at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants have agreed to return to work and halt a three-week strike after plant owner JBS USA agreed to resume negotiations, labor union representatives announced. The strike by thousands of workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, began on March 16 in coordination with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union in a bid for higher wages and better health care.

Why it matters

The strike at the Greeley plant, which accounts for 6% of the total U.S. beef slaughterhouse capacity, threatened to disrupt the industry and potentially drive up beef prices for consumers. An extended walkout could have rippled through the local economy and community, similar to the recent closure of a Tyson Foods plant in Nebraska.

The details

The union said JBS USA had offered less than 2% more a year in wages, which is less than inflation in Colorado. Union officials also accused the company of trying to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings. JBS USA has denied any labor law violations and said its contract offer was fair.

  • The strike began on March 16, 2026.
  • Workers will return to the Swift Beef Co. plant on Tuesday morning.

The players

JBS USA

The world's largest meatpacking company with a market capitalization of $17 billion. It is the top employer in Greeley, Colorado.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

The labor union representing workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado.

Kim Cordova

President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union.

Nikki Richardson

Spokesperson for JBS USA.

Matt Shechter

General counsel for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union.

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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

“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.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions in the meatpacking industry, where workers are pushing for better wages and benefits amid rising beef prices and industry consolidation. The resolution of this dispute could set the tone for future labor negotiations in the sector.