Overview
- About 3,800 UFCW Local 7 members walked off the job in Greeley on March 16 in what the union says is the first strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse since 1985.
- The union cites insufficient wages, faster line speeds, safety concerns and alleged retaliation, and it has filed National Labor Relations Board complaints, including claims that some workers were billed for protective gear.
- JBS says it complies with labor laws, calls its offer fair and consistent with a 2025 national deal, reports that some employees worked during the strike, and is shifting production to other facilities.
- The Greeley plant processes thousands of cattle per day—roughly 5–6% of U.S. capacity—prompting USDA monitoring and industry warnings that a prolonged stoppage could lift retail beef prices.
- Tight cattle supplies and already elevated beef prices frame the dispute, with analysts noting that extended disruption could squeeze feedlots and pressure live‑cattle prices even as consumer demand remains strong.