JBS USA has reached a new collective bargaining agreement with UFCW Local 7, allowing the Greeley beef production facility to return to normal operations and providing team members with clarity and stability after weeks of uncertainty.
The tentative agreement comes after a three-week unfair labor practice (ULP) strike.
Read more about the strike:
JBS Greeley Strike Ends: Workers Return to Plant Monday
What Does the JBS Strike Mean to Beef Producers?
According to a press release distributed by JBS, “The agreement, which runs through April 2028, 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. While JBS USA is pleased that an agreement has finally been reached, the company expressed disappointment that UFCW Local 7 leadership chose to eliminate the historic pension benefit that was part of the national agreement negotiated last year in partnership with UFCW International.”
As part of the agreement, Local 7 is also withdrawing seven alleged ULP charges. JBS says this further underscores this was a strike about the economics of the deal, not to stop ULPs as the union repeatedly claimed. Despite this, Local 7 continued to make public statements that did not reflect the facts and contributed to unnecessary confusion among team members.
According to a press release distributed by the union, “The tentative agreement represents a contract with all gains, countless improvements and not a single concession — a direct reflection of the power built by Local 7 members who refused to accept anything less than the fair treatment and working conditions they deserve.”
🚨 PRESS RELEASE🚨 pic.twitter.com/Oj0qhKojNw
— UFCW Local 7 (@UFCW_7) April 12, 2026
“This tentative agreement is a testament to the incredible resolve of our members at the JBS Greeley plant,” says Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 president. “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.”
The union summarizes the new agreement secures JBS-leading wage increases, defends workers against increases in health care 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 two years some 33% higher in this tentative agreement than JBS had offered Greeley workers in its pre-strike final offer,” the union press release says.
The JBS USA release explains the strike ultimately ended without any major changes to the company’s offer and the final agreement remains entirely within the economic framework JBS USA presented months ago, with no economic terms added or expanded from the company’s “Last, Best and Final Offer.” Instead, UFCW Local 7 opted to reallocate pension contributions to wages, resulting in the following structure:
Key Terms of the Agreement
Term: July 21, 2025 to April 2028
Base Wage Increases:
- $0.70 at ratification (no retroactive pay)
- $0.40 in July 2026
- $0.40 in July 2027
(All increases above the company’s Last, Best and Final offer were due to shifting the pension contributions)
Bonuses:
- $750 one-time payment at ratification
- $500 one-time payment in April 2027 (Eligibility requires employment at ratification and at time of payment)
Retirement:
- No pension
- Continuation of legacy 401(k) plan
“The company is relieved to move forward and restore stability for team members,” a JBS USA spokesperson says. “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.”
JBS USA notes 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. The company reiterated that the strike at Greeley could have been avoided entirely had Local 7 leadership allowed its members to vote on the same offer presented months earlier.
“The company’s goal has always been to provide a strong, competitive package that supports families today while protecting retirement security for the future,” a JBS USA spokesperson explains.
The company says it never refused to meet and never conditioned bargaining on the strike ending.
“With the agreement now finalized, JBS USA looks forward to restoring stability, supporting its workforce, and continuing to invest in the Greeley facility for the future,” the JBS USA spokesperson summarizes.
