Trending Now - 3,800 Workers to Strike at Major Meatpacking Plant

WHO:

About 3,800 workers at Swift Beef Co. plant

Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7

Matt Shechter, union general counsel

JBS USA, owner of Swift Beef Co.

WHAT:

Workers are set to strike at the Swift Beef Co. plant

The strike is the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s

The strike began at 5:30 a.m. MDT on March 16th, 2026

99% of workers voted to authorize the strike

The previous contract expired at midnight on March 15th, 2026

WHERE:

Swift Beef Co. plant, Greeley, Colorado

WHEN:

Strike began on March 16th, 2026

Previous contract expired at midnight on March 15th, 2026

The last strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse occurred in 1985

WHY:

Accusations of retaliation against workers and unfair labor practices by JBS USA amid contract negotiations

Economic anxiety due to rising beef prices and a 75-year low in U.S. cattle population

HOW:

JBS USA attempted to intimidate workers to quit the union through one-on-one meetings

JBS USA stated that any employee who did not want to strike would have work and be paid

JBS USA planned to operate two shifts at the plant and temporarily move production to other facilities as needed

The company claimed to operate in full compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 13:23 UTC)

Today, about 3,800 workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, have begun a strike, marking the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s. The strike started at 5:30 a.m. MDT after 99% of workers voted to authorize it, following the expiration of their previous contract at midnight on March 15, 2026, amid accusations of unfair labor practices by JBS USA, the plant's owner. JBS USA has stated that they will continue to operate the plant and have assured employees who choose not to strike that they will still have work and be paid.