JBS resumes Missouri bacon plant operations as Colorado workers approve new labour deal

USA – JBS USA has restarted operations at its bacon processing plant in Moberly, Missouri, after a temporary suspension tied to a notice issued by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The company confirmed that production resumed on April 13, following a brief interruption prompted by concerns raised during a regulatory review conducted the previous week.

In response to the situation, JBS stated that the disruption was linked to a specific issue affecting one production line, prompting a voluntary pause in operations while technical adjustments were carried out.

The company did not disclose the exact nature of the problem, but clarified that it was unrelated to any Listeria contamination and did not result in a product recall.

JBS added that it maintained direct engagement with federal inspectors throughout the process and implemented corrective steps to address the matter and meet compliance requirements.

The company said the facility has since resumed normal operations after completing the necessary upgrades and meeting regulatory requirements.

Labour agreement reached in Colorado

At the same time, JBS reported progress on labour relations at its primary beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, where workers have approved a new two-year contract after a strike that lasted about a month.

The agreement, which applies to roughly 3,800 employees, was finalised after negotiations held on April 9 and 10 between the company and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.

The industrial action had been driven by demands for wage adjustments to reflect rising living costs and the removal of employee charges for personal protective equipment.

Under the new terms, workers will receive pay increases of nearly 33% over two years, while the requirement to cover the cost of protective gear has been eliminated, and limits have been placed on healthcare cost increases.

JBS indicated it accepted the outcome of the talks but expressed concern over the exclusion of a pension provision that had been part of a broader national agreement reached earlier with the union’s international body.

As part of the settlement, the union also agreed to withdraw seven previously filed complaints alleging unfair labour practices.

The developments come as the US beef sector faces supply pressure, with cattle numbers falling to their lowest level in 75 years and pushing beef prices to record highs, which has affected processors, including JBS, that have continued purchasing livestock despite elevated costs.

The strike further reduced processing output during the period, adding to existing sector constraints following operational changes by other companies, including facility closures and reduced capacity at plants operated by Tyson Foods.

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