Nearly 4,000 Workers Launch Historic Strike at Major Colorado Beef Plant

Approximately 3,800 employees at a Swift Beef Co. facility in Greeley, Colorado began striking Monday morning over alleged unfair labor practices. This marks the first walkout at a U.S. beef processing facility since the 1980s, according to union officials.

GREELEY, Colo. — Nearly 4,000 employees at a major beef processing facility in Colorado launched a strike Monday morning, marking what union leaders describe as the first work stoppage at an American beef slaughterhouse in nearly four decades.

Workers at the Swift Beef Co. facility in Greeley began their walkout at 5:30 a.m. Mountain Time, according to Kim Cordova, who leads United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 representing the employees.

The work stoppage stems from union allegations that plant owner JBS USA engaged in retaliation against employees and violated labor laws during contract talks. The previous labor agreement expired at midnight Sunday.

This labor dispute unfolds as America’s cattle herds have shrunk to their smallest size in 75 years, with inventory reaching just 86.2 million head as of January 1 — a 1% decline from the previous year. Rising beef costs have contributed to consumer concerns about food prices, prompting the Trump administration to pursue trade agreements with Argentina aimed at reducing meat costs.

The situation follows January’s shutdown of a meat processing plant in Lexington, Nebraska, which sent economic shockwaves through that community.

Union officials allege the company attempted to pressure employees into abandoning union membership through individual meetings, according to union general counsel Matt Shechter.

Workers overwhelmingly supported the strike action, with Cordova reporting that 99% voted to authorize the walkout. Weekend negotiations never materialized after the company declined the union’s Saturday bargaining request, Shechter stated.

JBS USA responded in a written statement, indicating that employees choosing not to participate in the strike would continue working and receiving pay. The company plans to run two production shifts Monday and will shift operations to other JBS locations as necessary.

The company emphasized its adherence to all federal and state employment regulations.

“Our goal is to minimize impact to our customers, our partners, and the broader marketplace while we work toward a fair resolution in Greeley,” the company stated.

This represents the first strike at an American slaughterhouse since employees walked off the job at a Hormel facility in Minnesota in 1985, Cordova noted. That work stoppage extended beyond a year and featured violent clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators, according to Minnesota Historical Society records.