Story perspectives

JBS Workers Strike for Better Pay and Safety

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Approximately 3,800 workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, began a strike on March 16.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union alleges unfair labor practices and insufficient wages.
Workers demand safer conditions and better pay, citing inadequate protective equipment.
JBS states its contract offer is competitive and will shift production to other facilities.
The strike could affect beef prices amid a historic low in U.S. cattle.

History

Historical Context

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 established workers' rights to unionize, significantly impacting labor relations in the U.S. The act's enforcement by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) led to landmark cases, such as the 1937 Supreme Court ruling affirming its constitutionality. Today, the ongoing strike by 3,800 United Food and Commercial Workers at JBS in Greeley, Colorado, underscores persistent labor disputes over wages and safety in the meatpacking industry.

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Story summary

Approximately 3,800 workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, began a strike on March 16.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union alleges unfair labor practices and insufficient wages.
Workers demand safer conditions and better pay, citing inadequate protective equipment.
JBS states its contract offer is competitive and will shift production to other facilities.
The strike could affect beef prices amid a historic low in U.S. cattle.

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