About 3,800 workers at one of the nation’s largest meatpacking plants were set to strike Monday morning in Colorado in what union representatives said would be the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s.
The strike at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley was set to begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT, said Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents the workers.
It follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. A previous contract was due to expire at midnight Sunday.
The expected strike comes at a 75-year low for the U.S. cattle population, with a Jan. 1 inventory of 86.2 million animals -- down 1% from the prior year. Beef prices have added to economic anxiety in the U.S., while the administration of President Donald Trump has turned to a trade deal with Argentina in efforts to lower prices for food, including beef.
The US cattle population is very anemic right now, reducing demand for existing meat processing. Recently, Tyson closed a large plant in Nebraska. If I recall correctly, it wasn't too long before that when another large plant was closed. It seems like now is a very poor time for meat processors to go on strike.
I’m sure all groups are well aware of this. Probably why the owner thought they could push things.
Who knows
>It follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations.
I doubt theyll get a fair shake from trump labor board though.
[OP] kootles10 | a day ago
From the article:
About 3,800 workers at one of the nation’s largest meatpacking plants were set to strike Monday morning in Colorado in what union representatives said would be the first walkout at a U.S. beef slaughterhouse since the 1980s.
The strike at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley was set to begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT, said Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents the workers.
It follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. A previous contract was due to expire at midnight Sunday.
The expected strike comes at a 75-year low for the U.S. cattle population, with a Jan. 1 inventory of 86.2 million animals -- down 1% from the prior year. Beef prices have added to economic anxiety in the U.S., while the administration of President Donald Trump has turned to a trade deal with Argentina in efforts to lower prices for food, including beef.
OddlyFactual1512 | a day ago
The US cattle population is very anemic right now, reducing demand for existing meat processing. Recently, Tyson closed a large plant in Nebraska. If I recall correctly, it wasn't too long before that when another large plant was closed. It seems like now is a very poor time for meat processors to go on strike.
StunningCloud9184 | a day ago
I’m sure all groups are well aware of this. Probably why the owner thought they could push things.
Who knows
>It follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations.
I doubt theyll get a fair shake from trump labor board though.
Matt2_ASC | 20 hours ago
How Consolidation by Meatpacking Giants is Hurting Farmers and Consumers, and What the Biden Administration is Doing About It – Farm Aid
It is probably late for pushing back against the consolidation of the processing industry.