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Workers Halt Strike at Major US Meatpacking Plant, Resume Negotiations
Union and JBS USA agree to return to bargaining table after 3-week walkout at Swift Beef plant in Colorado
Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:50am
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Workers at one of the nation's largest meatpacking plants, the Swift Beef Co. facility 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. The strike began on March 16 as workers sought higher wages and better healthcare benefits.
Why it matters
The strike at the Greeley plant, which accounts for 6% of the total U.S. beef slaughtering capacity, threatened to further disrupt the meatpacking industry and drive up beef prices for consumers amid already high inflation. The resolution allows operations to resume at a critical facility while the two sides return to the bargaining table.
The details
The strike involved thousands of workers at the Swift Beef plant, which is owned by the world's largest meatpacking company, JBS USA. Union officials accused management of unfair labor practices, including retaliating against workers, and said the company's wage increase offer of less than 2% per year was insufficient given high inflation in Colorado. JBS denied any labor law violations and said its contract offer was fair.
- The strike began on March 16, 2026.
- Workers will return to the plant on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
The players
JBS USA
The world's largest meatpacking company, which owns the Swift Beef plant in Greeley, Colorado.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
The labor union representing workers at the Swift Beef plant.
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.
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 will resume contract negotiations later this week, with workers set to return to the Greeley plant on Tuesday morning.
The takeaway
This strike resolution allows the critical Greeley meatpacking facility to resume operations, avoiding further disruption to the beef supply chain and potential price increases for consumers. However, the underlying tensions between the union and JBS USA remain, and the two sides will need to find common ground on wages, benefits, and working conditions to reach a new long-term agreement.
