Meatpacking Plant Strike Looms as 3,800 Workers Prepare to Walk Out on Monday

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 Strike at Swift Beef Co.

Key Points:

• Approximately 3,800 workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, are set to strike on Monday morning.
• The strike, authorized by 99% of workers, follows accusations of unfair labor practices by JBS USA, the plant's owner.
• The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union represents the workers and has been in contract negotiations with JBS USA.
• The strike is the first at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s, with the last notable strike occurring at a Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985.

Background:

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The strike is set to begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT and follows a previous contract expiration at midnight on Sunday. The JBS USA company has stated that it will operate two shifts at the plant and temporarily move production to other facilities as needed. The company claims to operate in full compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.

Market Impact:

The strike comes at a time of economic anxiety in the U.S., with beef prices contributing to concerns. The U.S. cattle population has reached a 75-year low, with an inventory of 86.2 million animals as of January 1, down 1% from the prior year. The administration of President Donald Trump has turned to a trade deal with Argentina in efforts to lower prices for food, including beef.

Previous Strike:

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The last notable strike at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse occurred at a Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985, which lasted over a year and was marked by violent confrontations between police and protesters.