About 3,800 workers at a JBS USA beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, are set to begin an unfair labor practice strike on March 16, according to the Guardian, noting this is set to be the first labor strike in the industry in decades. The decision came after 99% of workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike after nine months of negotiations over a new contract.

The strike at JBS USA, the world’s largest meat producer, threatens to further raise the price of meat in the U.S., already a major element of the cost-of-living pressures that are proving a headache for the Trump administration.

Pilgrim’s Pride, a subsidiary of the JBS Brazilian meat processing conglomerate, donated $5 million to the Trump-Vance inaugural committee, making it the largest single donor.

Workers say JBS has forced them to pay out of pocket for expensive personal protective equipment, discriminated against immigrant workers, and tried to force through low-ball contract options.

The union cited an ongoing lawsuit against JBS alleging discrimination against Haitian workers at the plant by increasing line speeds on Haitian employees, and that those workers were recruited under false pretenses. Cleaning contractors have also faced fines by the U.S. Department of Labor for illegally employing minors at the JBS Greeley plant. JBS agreed in January 2025 to settle the child labor violations without admitting wrongdoing for $4 million.

The Guardian said a spokesperson for JBS did not comment directly on the ongoing lawsuit they are seeking to dismiss, or claims of wage theft, but said: “JBS Greeley operates in full compliance with all applicable federal and state labor and employment laws.”

JBS also said that, in the event of a strike, the company plans on temporarily shifting operations to other facilities.