JBS Workers Ratify New Two-Year Contract

Deal covers nearly 3,800 workers at Greeley, Colorado plant

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:29pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a stack of freshly butchered meat cuts arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the stability and efficiency of the meatpacking industry.A new labor agreement between JBS and its Greeley, Colorado workers aims to provide stability and economic security for employees in the meatpacking industry.Greeley Today

Workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado have approved a new two-year labor agreement with the world's largest meat processor. The deal includes a nearly 33% wage increase over the next two years and protections for workers against rising healthcare costs and the need to pay for personal protective equipment.

Why it matters

The new contract with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 represents a resolution to a month-long strike at the Greeley facility, one of JBS's largest plants. The agreement helps provide labor stability for the company and ensures continued operations at a critical production site.

The details

The two-year agreement covers almost 3,800 workers at the Greeley plant. In addition to the significant wage hikes, it also protects employees from having to pay for their own PPE. The deal also helps guard workers against increasing healthcare costs. As part of the settlement, the union will withdraw seven alleged unfair labor practice charges against JBS.

  • The new contract was ratified by workers on April 14, 2026.
  • The agreement was reached after two days of negotiations on April 9-10, 2026.

The players

JBS

The world's largest meat processing company, headquartered in Brazil.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

The labor union representing workers at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that provides significant wage increases and protections for our hardworking team members in Greeley.”

— Andre Nogueira, CEO, JBS USA

“This new contract is a victory for our members and all workers in the meatpacking industry who have risked their lives throughout the pandemic.”

— Kim Cordova, President, UFCW Local 7

What’s next

The new contract will go into effect immediately and remain in place for the next two years.

The takeaway

The ratification of this new labor agreement between JBS and its Greeley workers represents a compromise that provides significant economic gains for employees while also ensuring continued operations at a critical production facility for the company.