Potential Beef Plant Strike Talk Continues

April 28, 2026

DENVER, CO., – Some analysts and outlets have reported a strike at the Fort Morgan, Colorado, Cargill beef plant. That has not been confirmed by the company and, with ample shackle space, those analysts say the market hasn’t been rocked by rumors of a strike, either wildcat or Union organized. Requests to the local Union office remain unanswered this morning. A Cargill spokesperson was mum on any strike activity but did say those workers are in contract negotiations.

Just down the road in Denver, Colo., members of the union representing workers at Denver Processing have voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike against the company, a wholly owned subsidiary of JBS USA. 

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 said 97% of the union members voted Friday to authorize a strike in response to what union officials said is the company’s “ongoing illegal conduct at and away from the bargaining table.”

In a statement, JBS said it was “disappointed that UFCW Local 7 has chosen to pursue another strike rather than continue productive discussions at the bargaining table”. In its statement, JBS said it had “negotiated in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair agreement that supports our team members and recognizes their hard work”.

Workers at the plant in Denver process meat products for Kroger stores throughout the Southwest, including King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, Fry’s Food and Drug Stores in Arizona, and Ralphs Grocery Company in California.

This dispute comes on the heels of a strike that concluded after a separate wage agreement was reached earlier in April. It included base wage increases of $.70 followed by $.40 in July and $.40 in July 2027.

To that end, JBS said “unfortunately, recent history demonstrates that striking does not necessarily lead to better outcomes for workers. In Greeley, the agreement reached after the strike left team members with a final deal closely mirroring the company’s last, best, and final offer, and without retroactive wages or a pension.”

There is no announcement yet of a possible walkout date in Denver.

Source: Western Ag Network