JBS, union reach new agreement

GREELEY —  Union workers at JBS USA’s Greeley meatpacking plant have ratified a new, two-year agreement with the company, days after ending a three-week strike.

The tentative collective-bargaining agreement covers almost 3,800 workers. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 went on strike March 16 over wage and other issues. Union members returned to work April 6, with negotiations resuming days later.

“This tentative agreement is a testament to the incredible resolve of our members at the JBS Greeley plant,” Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said in a written statement. “These workers stood together on the picket line for three weeks, through extreme weather, because they knew their worth and refused to be disrespected. Today, that sacrifice has been rewarded. This is what union power looks like.”

JBS said the agreement “reflects the same economic framework JBS USA presented in its Last, Best and Final offer — an offer that remained unchanged economically throughout the bargaining process.”

The company said wage increases over its last offer were due to ending workers’ pension plan.

Key provisions of the agreement include:

• Base wage increases of 70 cents per hour, with no retroactive pay; a 40-cent increase in July 2026 and a 40-cent increase in July 2027.

• Bonuses of $750 at time of ratification and $500 in April 2027.

• No pension.

• Continuation of legacy 401(k) plan.

JBS said Local 7 also has agreed to withdraw seven charges of unfair labor practices.

“The company is relieved to move forward and restore stability for team members,” according to a JBS statement. “At the same time, JBS USA strongly disagrees with Local 7 leadership’s decision to forgo the historic pension that was secured for workers at other major JBS facilities across the country. The pension was designed in partnership with UFCW International to strengthen long-term retirement security for the workforce. Instead, Local 7 chose to shift those dollars into short-term wage increases—an approach that appears to prioritize the Local 7 leadership’s immediate agenda over the long-term financial future of team members.”

Union officials said the new agreement “secures JBS-leading wage increases, defends workers against increases in healthcare costs, and protects workers from having to pay for personal protective equipment that should be paid for by the company. By standing together, workers secured wage increases over the next 2 years some 33% higher in this tentative agreement than JBS had offered Greeley workers in its pre-strike final offer. “

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