Thousands of Swift Beef Co. workers in Greeley, Colorado, are on strike, alleging unfair labor practices by JBS USA. The union accuses the company of inadequate wage increases below the inflation rate and excessive charges for personal protective equipment. The strike, supported by a vast majority of unionized workers, is impacting a major slaughterhouse and comes amid rising beef prices and declining cattle numbers.
Thousands of workers from the Swift Beef Co. are going on strike after alleging the company committed unfair labor practices.Employees in Greeley, Colorado, began a two-week strike outside of one of the largest slaughterhouses in the United States on Monday.
Union officials have accused JBS USA of offering wage increases of less than 2% annually, which is below Colorado's inflation rate.They added that 99% of the plant’s 3,800 unionized workers voted to strike. More than 2,600 showed up at the picket line by early Monday afternoon and others were expected to check in over coming days, said Claire Poundstone, an attorney for the United Food and Commercial Union Local 7."They don’t really value their workers and we’re the ones that help them get all their profit," said Leticia Avalos, a union steward and Greeley native who has been working at the plant since 2020. The union told The Associated Press its workers perform some of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the country and deserve higher wages and better health care. It said JBS in many cases has charged workers $1,100 or more to offset the company’s expenses for personal protective equipment.JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson said "many team members" reported to work but did not provide a precise number."Our team members want stability, they want to support their families, and they deserved the opportunity to vote on the company’s historic offer — an opportunity the union leadership has denied them," Richardson wrote in an email.Richardson said any employee who didn’t strike would have work and be paid. The company also has said it would move production as needed to other JBS facilities.U.S. cattle numbers are continuing to decline as beef prices soar.The price of 100% ground chuck beef more than doubled over the past two decades, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The strike follows the January closure of a meatpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska, which was expected to ripple through the local economy and community. Tyson Foods cited the smaller herd and millions of dollars in expected losses this year for the closure.The Greeley plant has about 6% of the total U.S. beef slaughterhouse capacity, a livestock market adviser for Ever. Ag. told AP.An extended dispute with the Greeley workers could disrupt the industry, particularly in Colorado and neighboring states, said Jennifer Martin at Colorado State University’s animal sciences department.
Strike Labor Dispute Wage Negotiation Beef Industry JBS USA
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
3,800 workers set to strike at one of the nation's largest slaughterhousesAbout 3,800 workers at one of the nation’s largest meatpacking plants were set to strike in Colorado on Monday morning. Union representatives say it will be the first strike at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s. The walkout at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley is set to begin at 5:30 a.m. Mountain time.
Read more »
Workers strike at one of the largest meatpacking plants amid record beef pricesNearly 4,000 workers at a Colorado meatpacking plant went on strike Monday, accusing the owner of retaliation and committing unfair labor practices.
Read more »
Lucky vibes, corned beef, sweet pets: St. Patrick's Day will shimmer in SoCalThe Original Farmers Market is the spot for traditional eats and tunes while Pasadena Humane has a golden adoption offer afoot.
Read more »
Meatpacking Workers Strike in Colorado, First Walkout in DecadesApproximately 3,800 workers at a JBS USA beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, went on strike, marking the first such walkout in the U.S. meatpacking industry in 40 years. The strike follows accusations of unfair labor practices and comes amidst contract negotiations, record-high beef prices, and historically low cattle supplies. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 is representing the striking workers, who are demanding fair wages, healthcare, and better working conditions. JBS USA says it is trying to minimize the impact of the strike.
Read more »
JBS shifts production as 3,800 workers strike at Greeley beef plantI’ve received a few awards for my reporting, but nothing compares to the connections made with everyday people who are kind enough to welcome me into their lives, if only for a few moments.
Read more »
Thousands of workers go on strike at meatpacking plant in Colorado: What to knowThousands of workers from the Swift Beef Co. are going on strike after alleging the company committed unfair labor practices.
Read more »