JBS and Union Reach Deal to End Greeley Strike

New contract includes wage increases and one-time payments for workers at the beef processing plant.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:59pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of beef patties, a butcher's knife, and a red-and-white checkered napkin arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background, conceptually representing the industrial meat processing industry.The resolution of the labor dispute at the JBS beef plant in Greeley, Colorado, will help restore stability to the local economy that relies on the facility's production.Greeley Today

After a period of negotiations, JBS USA and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 union have reached a new collective bargaining agreement to end the strike at the company's beef processing facility in Greeley, Colorado. The new contract, which runs through April 2028, includes base wage increases, one-time payments, and changes to the company's retirement plan.

Why it matters

The Greeley plant is a major employer in the region, with nearly 4,000 workers. The resolution of the strike will allow operations to return to normal and provide stability for the local economy that relies on the plant's production.

The details

Under the new agreement, workers will receive a 70-cent base wage increase at ratification, followed by 40-cent increases in July 2026 and July 2027. Eligible employees will also receive a $750 one-time payment at ratification and a $500 payment in April 2027. The contract does not include a pension plan, with the union opting to redirect those funds into the wage increases instead.

  • The new contract is set to run through April 2028.
  • Workers will receive the first 70-cent wage increase at ratification.
  • Additional 40-cent wage increases are scheduled for July 2026 and July 2027.
  • Eligible employees will receive a $750 one-time payment at ratification.
  • Eligible employees will receive a $500 one-time payment in April 2027.

The players

JBS USA

A major beef processing company that operates the facility in Greeley, Colorado.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7

The labor union representing workers at the JBS facility in Greeley.

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What they’re saying

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that provides our hardworking team members with meaningful wage increases and benefits.”

— Andre Nogueira, CEO of JBS USA

“This contract represents a significant victory for our members and demonstrates the power of collective bargaining.”

— Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7

What’s next

The new contract will go into effect immediately, and JBS expects the Greeley facility to return to full production as the workforce of nearly 4,000 employees comes back online.

The takeaway

The resolution of the strike at the JBS facility in Greeley highlights the importance of collective bargaining and the ability of unions to secure better wages and benefits for workers, even in challenging economic times for the industry.