Trending Now - Meatpacking Plant Workers Extend Strike Into Third Week

WHO:

President Trump issued an executive order during the 2020 pandemic.

Kim Cordova, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union.

JBS USA, owner of the Swift Beef Co. plant.

Nikki Richardson, spokesperson for JBS.

Jennifer Martin, Colorado State University’s animal sciences department.

WHAT:

Thousands of workers are extending their strike at the Swift Beef Co. plant for a third week.

The strike began with support from 99% of the plant’s 3,800 workers.

JBS USA is operating the plant at limited capacity and has shifted beef production elsewhere.

Union officials state that JBS's offer of 2% wage hikes is less than inflation.

JBS has a market capitalization of $17 billion.

In 2020, the Greeley plant had 291 COVID-19 infections and six deaths among workers.

WHERE:

Swift Beef Co. plant located in Greeley, Colorado.

Greeley is 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Denver, with a population of about 114,000 people.

WHEN:

The strike began on March 16th, 2026.

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

WHY:

Workers are pushing for higher wages and better health care.

The company’s wage offer does not meet the cost of living in Colorado.

HOW:

Workers are participating in a walkout and picketing.

JBS is maintaining supply and minimizing disruption while negotiations are ongoing.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 11:04 UTC)

Thousands of workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, are extending their strike for a third week, having initially garnered support from 99% of the plant’s 3,800 employees since the strike began on March 16, 2026. Union officials argue that JBS USA's offer of a two percent wage increase falls short of keeping pace with inflation, while the company is currently operating the plant at limited capacity and has redirected beef production elsewhere. The ongoing walkout and picketing reflect the workers' demands for higher wages and better health care, as they seek to address the rising cost of living in Colorado.