3,800 JBS Workers Strike in Greeley, First in 40 Years

Thousands of meatpacking workers at a major beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, walked off the job on Monday, marking the first strike at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse in nearly 40 years. The action by approximately 3,800 employees of JBS USA began at 5:30 a.m. local time, following the expiration of their contract at midnight Sunday.

The workers, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, halted operations at the Swift Beef Co. facility after months of unsuccessful negotiations. Union leaders cited JBS's refusal to provide adequate wage increases, affordable healthcare and sufficient safety equipment as key issues. They also accused the company of unfair labor practices, including retaliation against organizers through one-on-one meetings pressuring employees to leave the union. Union members voted 99 percent in favor of authorizing the strike, which is initially set to last two weeks but could extend longer.

"Our workers perform some of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the country," said Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7. "They deserve wage increases that keep pace with inflation, ensure they receive healthcare commensurate with the toll this...