JBS has halted processing at its Greeley beef plant and begun redirecting cattle to other facilities as workers prepare for a possible strike next week, setting up a labor fight with potentially broad consequences for Weld County’s economy and the regional beef supply chain.
Workers at the plant announced this week that they plan to walk off the job starting Monday after months of negotiations over a new contract. The agreement that has held those talks together effectively ends March 15.
The Greeley facility is a major force in northern Colorado’s economy. The plant is the largest employer in Weld County and normally slaughters thousands of cattle each day, making any disruption significant not only for plant workers but also for ranchers, feedlots, truckers and other businesses tied to the beef industry…