In 57 Languages, Meatpackers Strike for the First Time in 40 Years

[Omaha Steve]

Immigrant workers from around the world are on strike at one of the nation's largest beef plants. Photo: Essential Workers for Democracy

https://labornotes.org/2026/03/57-languages-meatpackers-strike-first-time-40-years

March 22, 2026 / Caitlyn Clark and Lisa Xu

In less than a quarter-mile stretch of sidewalk, chatter in 57 languages overlaps with the sound of dancehall, bachata, Thai pop, Haitian kompa, and Micronesian hip-hop. At sunset, dozens gather for iftar, breaking their Ramadan fast; the music, pulsing from boomboxes and cell phones held up to megaphones, swells into one shared hum.

In this sliver of land across from the sprawling JBS beef processing plant—among the largest in the country—workers from around the world have united in the largest U.S. meatpacking strike in 40 years.

The 3,800 workers at the JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, walked off the job on Monday, March 16, launching a two-week unfair labor practice strike.

This is the company’s flagship beef plant in the U.S. Its previous contract with Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 expired last July.

FULL story at link above.

[dutch777]

1. Wonder if other plants will follow? Another potential price increase for consumers if they do.