Union workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley will vote Friday and Saturday on whether to authorize a strike or approve a contract that labor officials say is unfair.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 represents about 3,000 workers at the plant, which is Greeley’s largest employer.
have been underway since August. Talks broke off Friday after union leaders recommended to reject JBS’s latest offer.
“Our members are frustrated,” said Kevin Schneider, secretary treasurer of Local 7. “The company at the last bargaining session went backwards on some of their proposals.”
Schneider said the union bargaining team rejected the offer primarily because it shifts millions of dollars of health-insurance costs from the company to workers. The two sides also failed to agree on wages, subcontracting language and the duration of the new contract.
JBS officials could not be reached for comment immediately.
Workers will vote to approve the contract or authorize a strike. Local 7 would be required to give JBS 72 hours’ notice if the union decides to terminate the contract extension under which workers now operate.
