GREELEY \u2014\u00a0 Thousands of union workers employed by the largest meatpacking company in the U.S. went on strike early Monday morning, calling for higher wages and safer working conditions at the JBS facility in Greeley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before sunrise, with the temperature hovering around 20 degrees, hundreds of employees, some with blankets draped over their shoulders, walked a picket line carrying signs asking people not to patronize the company.<\/p>\n
The union, which represents 3,800 workers at the plant, has accused JBS of trying to squeeze more out of staff while reducing hours and creating an unsafe work environment. Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said the plant has increased the speed of the production line, processing 420 animals per hour, up from 390. As well as higher wages, workers want reimbursement of protective gear, which can cost hundreds of dollars.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an historic moment in time to see workers come out like this,\u201d Cordova said Monday morning while standing with workers on the picket line. \u201cIt\u2019s a real showing of worker power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strikers booed cars turning into the plant and a passerby shouted \u201cSi, se puede!\u201d (\u201cYes, you can!\u201d) as people huddled in small groups. Union reps yelled \u201ckeep walking\u201d to strikers that stalled on the line. <\/p>\n
The union has filed a handful of complaints with the National Labor Relations Board alleging retaliation and change to terms and conditions of employment by JBS, also known as Swift Beef Company.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Striking employees carry picket signs near the JBS meatpacking plant Monday in Greeley. Approximately 3,800 meatpackers are on strike after the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 bargaining committee voted to end an extension of an expired contract. (Tanya Fabian, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/p>\n
JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson said in an email that the company has spent the past eight months in discussions with union members over a new contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past eight months, JBS USA worked diligently to reach a balanced and responsible agreement with UFCW Local 7. Instead of continuing constructive dialogue, the union abruptly ended negotiations and unilaterally canceled the existing contract,\u201d Richardson said in a statement released Monday. \u201cTheir decision has created unnecessary disruption for team members who were never given the chance to review or vote on the company\u2019s proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordova said JBS\u2019s proposal to raise wages by 60 cents an hour in the first year and 30 cents annually for the next two years is similar to a national agreement the company made with unions in other states last year, but that it does not cover Colorado\u2019s higher cost of living.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJBS is trying to force us to take the national agreement,\u201d she said. \u201cBut the health care costs increased 22 cents an hour (so) those folks got an 8-cent increase. That\u2019s not gonna work for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richardson previously called the latest offer \u201cstrong, fair and consistent with the historic national contract\u00a0reached in 2025 in partnership with UFCW International<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n This is the first strike for the meatpacking industry since a national-level one occurred at Hormel Foods in Minnesota in 1985.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Striking employees protest as shift workers enter a parking lot near the JBS meatpacking plant Monday in Greeley. (Tanya Fabian, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/p>\n