JBS workers ratify two-year deal at Greeley Beef Plant
Agreement follows month-long strike involving nearly 3,800 employees
USA – Workers at JBS’s flagship beef processing facility in Greeley, Colorado, have approved a two-year collective agreement after a month-long strike, according to statements from the company and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.
The agreement covers about 3,800 employees and was reached after negotiations held on April 9-10, following industrial action aimed at securing higher pay in line with inflation and ending charges for replacement protective equipment.
Under the terms of the deal, wages will rise by almost 33% over the next two years, employees will no longer be required to pay for personal protective equipment, and healthcare cost increases will be contained, according to union officials.
JBS said it welcomed the outcome of the negotiations but was dissatisfied with the removal of a pension benefit included in a national agreement reached the previous year with UFCW International.
As part of the settlement, UFCW Local 7 also agreed to drop seven unfair labour practice complaints previously filed against the company.
Beef prices have reached record levels this year after the US cattle herd fell to its lowest level in 75 years, creating tighter supply conditions that have affected processors, including JBS, which continued sourcing cattle despite elevated market prices.
The strike also contributed to reduced processing capacity in the US meat sector, as Tyson Foods closed a beef facility in Nebraska and scaled back operations at another plant in Texas.
Biotechnology Expansion in Brazil
In a separate development, JBS has opened a US$37 million biotechnology centre in Florianópolis, Brazil, located within Sapiens Parque and spanning more than 4,000 square metres.
The facility contains more than 20 laboratories and is designed to support research across the full development chain, including animal health, precision nutrition, and the development of functional and alternative proteins.
It is equipped with technologies such as next-generation sequencing systems, molecular analysis platforms, and omics tools, alongside laboratories for cell, microorganism, and plant cultivation, as well as a biobank for biological sample storage.
The company said the centre will also work to convert industrial by-products into higher-value ingredients and support veterinary product development and data-driven tools to improve efficiency and animal welfare in production systems.
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