JBS USA reaches agreement to restore normal operations at beef facility
Company expresses concern over decision to forgo pension benefit.
JBS USA announced April 12, 2026, that it 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 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.
The company is relieved to move forward and restore stability for team members. 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.
As part of the agreement, Local 7 is also withdrawing seven alleged unfair labor practice (ULP) charges — further underscoring that 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.
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 – 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
JBS USA noted 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. 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. 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.
Throughout the bargaining process, JBS USA maintained operations, continued to meet with the union as scheduled, and bargained in good faith. The company reiterated that 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.
Source: JBS USA
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