NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Unionized workers at a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike after more than eight months of contract negotiations.
UFCW says 99 percent of voting members approved the measure, though no strike date has been set. The union alleges unfair labor practices during negotiations, while JBS says it has bargained in good faith and offered wage increases, pension benefits, and improved compensation aligned with national agreements.
Related Stories
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
From meatpacking settlements to landmark NEPA rulings, Roger McEowen outlines the top legal developments in 2025 that will shape agriculture in the years ahead.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
EXCLUSIVE: Texas Lawmakers Weigh USMCA’s Relevance and What Renegotiation Could Mean for Agriculture
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
From “right to repair” to investigations into the “Big Four” meatpackers, antitrust issues were a major legal topic in 2025 and promise to have a long-term impact on the agriculture industry in the future.
