Union members who staged a strike at a JBS meatpacking plant in the US have reached a wage agreement with the company after a new round of negotiations.
In a statement yesterday (12 April), JBS USA said it has agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement with labour union UFCW Local 7, adding the deal is expected to allow the facility in Greeley, Colorado, to return to normal operations after “weeks of uncertainty”.
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The strike at the plant began on 16 March after workers walked out. Last week, employees agreed to end the industrial action as talks with the company resumed.
The new agreement runs through April 2028 and, JBS said, is based on the same “economic framework” as the company’s “last, best and final” offer made during negotiations leading up to the strike.
Under the deal, base wages will rise by $0.70 at ratification, followed by $0.40 in July 2026 and $0.40 in July 2027. The agreement includes no provision for retroactive pay.
The package also includes a $750 one-time bonus payment at ratification and a further $500 one-time payment in April 2027, with eligibility requiring workers to be employed at ratification and at the time of payment.
However, JBS said the deal does not include a pension benefit that it said had featured in a national agreement negotiated last year between the company and UFCW International covering other US sites.
Expressing its “disappointment”, JBS said Local 7 leadership opted instead to redirect money that would have gone into a pension into higher short-term wage increases.
The meat giant added that workers at other JBS beef facilities across the country have already “accepted and are benefiting” from the historic pension and other enhancements negotiated in partnership with UFCW International.
Under the Greeley agreement, the employees will remain on the plant’s existing 401(k) plan, with no pension included.
As part of the agreement, Local 7 will also withdraw seven “alleged unfair labour practice (ULP) charges”.
In the statement, JBS said: “The company’s goal has always been to provide a strong, competitive package that supports families today while protecting retirement security for the future.
“JBS USA remains committed to the long-term viability of the Greeley facility and to the team members who contribute to its success every day.”
