Meatpacking Firm Offers Wage Gains After Worker Strike

JBS raises pay, benefits, and adds retirement plan amid Trump-era migration cutoff

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:27pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting the motion and energy of a meatpacking plant worker, with overlapping geometric shapes in bold, vibrant colors conceptually representing the changing labor dynamics in the industry.As meatpacking firms face pressure to raise wages amid tighter immigration policies, the industry's reliance on a 'controllable' migrant workforce is being challenged.Greeley Today

A major meatpacking company, JBS, is offering significant wage increases, better benefits, and even a retirement plan to its workers after a rare strike at its Greeley, Colorado plant. The moves come as the company faces pressure from a Trump-era cutoff of low-wage migrant labor that had previously allowed it to keep wages down.

Why it matters

This case highlights the impact of immigration policy on labor markets, as reduced migration flows force companies to raise wages and improve working conditions to attract and retain workers. It also reveals the role that progressive groups have played in facilitating the influx of low-wage migrant labor to industries like meatpacking, often at the expense of American workers.

The details

JBS is offering wage gains of up to 46% since 2019, outpacing regional inflation, after a three-week strike by workers at its Greeley plant. The company says the increases represent 'real wage growth of about 16%' for employees. However, the union disputes this, saying workers have only seen 7% gains while healthcare costs rose nearly 40%. The union accuses JBS of 'unfair labor practices' and demanding minimal raises.

  • In June 2025, amid Trump's cutoff of new migrants, JBS was forced to grant pay raises, sick leave, and even a pension plan to 26,000 meatpackers in Iowa.
  • Since late 2021, as Biden's migrants flooded the labor market, the JBS workers have seen wage gains of just 7 percent.

The players

JBS

A Brazilian multinational meatpacking company that has relied heavily on migrant labor to staff its U.S. plants.

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

The union representing workers at the JBS Greeley plant, which has accused the company of unfair labor practices.

Kim Cordova

The president of the local UFCW branch that represents workers at the JBS Greeley plant.

Thelma Cruz

A 10-year employee at the JBS Pork plant in Marshalltown, Iowa who was excited about the company's new pension plan.

Mark Krikorian

The director of the Center for Immigration Studies, who argues that federal refugee resettlement policies have enabled meatpackers to rely on a 'controllable workforce' of desperate migrants.

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What they’re saying

“I've been working at JBS for 10 years, and when I got the news about the pension, I was excited. My husband also works here, and when we retire, we will both get pension checks every month.”

— Thelma Cruz, JBS employee

“Workers remain united and will continue to fight until JBS fully ends its unfair labor practices and gives workers a contract offer that protects them, shows workers the respect they deserve, and pays them a livable wage.”

— Kim Cordova, President, UFCW Local 7

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the striking workers to continue negotiations with JBS.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex dynamics between immigration policy, corporate interests, and worker rights. It shows how reduced migration can force companies to raise wages and improve conditions, but also reveals the role that progressive groups have played in facilitating the exploitation of migrant labor.