JBS union members to return to job Tuesday

GREELEY — Workers at JBS USA’s meatpacking plant in Greeley announced late Saturday that they would return to work Tuesday after a three-week walkout, but management and labor characterized the move differently in statements issued minutes apart.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 said its members would go back on the job “after JBS agreed to return to the negotiating table.” But a release from JBS (NYSE: JBS) said “we have received formal notification from UFCW Local 7 that it is ending its strike and has made an unconditional offer for employees to return to work.”

UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova said JBS had agreed to meet Thursday and Friday “to resume contract negotiations.” But the JBS statement said “this decision by the union comes without any new agreement or change to (the) company’s original offer” and that “our last, best and final offer remains on the table.”

The strike began early March 16. Approximately 3,800 workers are employed at the facility at 800 N. Eighth Ave. along U.S. Highway 85. The union, which represents 22,000 workers in Colorado and Wyoming, has argued for better pay and working conditions. Its contract with JBS expired last July, and 99% of unionized workers voted in February to authorize a strike.

Cordova said workers would return for shifts beginning at or after 5 a.m. Tuesday.

“Despite JBS’s efforts to deceive workers and the media as to the plant’s status, the plant has been almost completely idle with only a miniscule fraction of production occurring at quality levels far below that which skilled union workers can produce,” she said in a prepared statement.

“Workers remain united and will continue to fight until JBS fully ends its unfair labor practices and gives workers a contract offer that protects them, shows workers the respect they deserve, and pays them a livable wage,” she said. “This fight will continue and workers can take strength from the community members, farmers and ranchers, and elected officials who have joined them in this battle. We will not stop until JBS rectifies the suffering it has brought on these workers and the American people as a whole.

“Instead of shifting toward fair treatment, she said, “the company has recently doubled down on its illegal tactics” by threatening to discontinue workers’ health-care benefits, “and by threatening workers with termination if they did not resign from the union and refuse to strike.”

The JBS statement said that, “throughout this process, we have remained committed to good-faith negotiations and to operating our facility safely, responsibly, and in compliance with all regulatory standards.”

It said the company’s “comprehensive proposal includes meaningful wage increases, a pension, and other valuable benefits designed to support our team members and their families. We believe this is a strong and competitive package, and we hope employees will have the opportunity to review and vote on it soon.

“We are pleased to welcome our team members back and are preparing to resume and ramp up operations at the Greeley plant next week,” the JBS statement said. “Our focus remains on ensuring a smooth and safe return to work for all employees while continuing to meet the needs of our customers and community.

“We appreciate the patience and support of our team members, partners, and the Greeley community during this time and look forward to moving ahead together.”

Union officials say that negotiations stalled over wages and the cost of protective equipment required for workers on the production line. According to UFCW Local 7, workers must purchase safety gear out of pocket, costing hundreds of dollars.

The union also contends that the company’s wage proposal — about 60 cents per hour in the first year of the contract — does not keep up with inflation. Union officials are seeking higher raises, better health care coverage and reimbursement for safety equipment.

JBS has countered that its latest offer is “strong” and consistent with a national union agreement.

“For eight months, JBS USA engaged in negotiations with UFCW Local 7 in Greeley. Despite our continued efforts to reach a fair and responsible agreement, Local 7 chose to end negotiations and cancel the contract we had in place,” the statement read.

The strike led JBS to shift production from Greeley to other facilities around the country. The Greeley plant processes 5,000 to 6,000 head of cattle daily, a significant percentage of U.S. beef-processing capacity.

U.S. beef prices have hit record levels this year, amid lower cattle inventories.

The last major strike at a U.S. meatpacking plant was in 1985 and 1986 at a Hormel Foods Corp. plant in Austin, Minnesota. Greeley workers last went on strike in 1980, when the plant was owned by Monfort Inc.

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