JBS Unfair Labor Practice Strike: The Initial Call to Action from UFCW Local 7 Union Workers

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On Monday, March 16th, unionized workers at slaughterhouse and beef processing plant JBS USA began an unfair labor practice strike against the company. Nearly 4,000 meatpackers of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 have joined the protest against the Greeley-based company in the largest U.S. meatpacking industry strike in four decades. The following is an official union notice posted before the strike began.

STAY UNITED for a fair contract and GET PREPARED for an unfair labor practice strike!

UFCW Local 7 and your member-led bargaining committee met for bargaining on March 5 and March 6, 2026. After working all day and into the night, the bargaining committee gave the Company a comprehensive proposal designed to settle all outstanding issues and deliver workers a contract they deserve, including substantial changes to proposals related to equipment, retirement, and wages. This morning, the Company delivered a responsive proposal that made clear JBS has no interest in giving workers a contract that reflects their worth. The member-led bargaining committee unanimously voted to cancel the extension agreement and to have the Union prepare for an unfair labor practice strike.

JBS is sending the workers a clear message. JBS does not value the critical and backbreaking work that the JBS members provide. JBS wants to continue taking money out of your paycheck for equipment the Company should be paying for.

During these negotiations, JBS has committed numerous Unfair Labor Practices which hurt the bargaining process. After eight months, the Company threatened to withhold both a proposed bonus and lump-sum pension payment if the Union cancels the current contract extension. This is an Unfair Labor Practice which robs the workers of their right to bargain in good faith. The Company retaliated against a member of the Bargaining Committee, refused to provide information, and punished a worker for filing a grievance. JBS has also made unilateral changes to working conditions without bargaining with the Union. All of these are unfair labor practices which harm workers rights under the law and which poison the bargaining process .

JBS workers absolutely deserve wage increases that keep pace with inflation, that support their health, that protect their retirement, and that allow the workers to work with dignity and respect. JBS is continuing to propose wage increases of less than 2% per year, hardly enough to pay for the increased cost of living.

Now is the time to UNITE, together with your coworkers and community, to show the Company that you cannot be silenced!

The Union will distribute information about the dates and timing of any unfair labor practice strike soon. The ULP strike could start as soon as March 16, 2026. Report to work as normal until you are directed otherwise.

For more information about the unfair labor practice strike as it comes out, head to http://ufcw7.org/jbs-strike-2026.

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