3,800 workers are set to strike Monday at one of nation’s largest meatpacking plants
In Greeley, Colorado, around 3,800 workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant were preparing to go on strike on Monday morning, marking the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s. The strike was scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT, according to Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, the union representing the workers.
The union accused JBS USA, the owner of the plant, of engaging in retaliatory actions against workers and other unfair labor practices during contract negotiations. The previous contract was set to expire at midnight on Sunday.
This strike comes at a challenging time for the U.S. cattle industry, with the country experiencing a 75-year low in cattle population. As of January 1, there were 86.2 million cattle in the inventory, a 1% decrease from the previous year. The decline in cattle numbers has contributed to economic concerns in the U.S., with beef prices causing anxiety among consumers. President Donald Trump’s administration has been exploring trade deals, including with Argentina, in an effort to lower food prices, including beef.
The strike also follows the closure of a meatpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska, in January, which had significant impacts on the local economy and community.
According to union general counsel Matt Shechter, the company attempted to pressure workers to leave the union during individual meetings at the Greeley plant. Despite the company’s efforts, 99% of workers voted to authorize the strike. Formal negotiations did not take place over the weekend as the company declined a union request to negotiate on Saturday.
In response to the impending strike, JBS USA stated that employees who chose not to participate would still have work and be compensated. The company planned to operate two shifts at the plant on Monday and would shift production to other JBS facilities temporarily if necessary. JBS USA emphasized that it operates in compliance with federal and state labor laws.
The company expressed its commitment to minimizing disruptions to customers, partners, and the broader marketplace while working towards a fair resolution in Greeley.
This strike marks the first labor action at a U.S. slaughterhouse since a walkout at a Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985. The Hormel strike lasted over a year and was characterized by violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters, as documented by the Minnesota Historical Society.
