Right-to-Work Pressure: Legal Group Urges JBS Strikers in Colorado to Resign from Union, Cross Picket Line

As the strike at a JBS facility in Colorado continues, the National Right to Work Foundation is encouraging some employees to consider returning to work. The group says not all workers on strike may want to participate and urges those who choose to cross the picket line to resign from their union memberships.

GREELEY, Colo. (RFD NEWS) — New developments are emerging in the ongoing strike at the JBS USA packing plant in Greeley, Colorado. Nearly 4,000 workers remain on the picket line this morning after walking off the job earlier this week.

As the strike continues, the National Right to Work Foundation is encouraging some employees to consider returning to work. The organization claims not everyone on strike actually wants to be there and is urging those members to resign from the union, cross the picket line, and return to their posts.

This week, the organization filed a special legal notice and is offering sample resignation letters to assist workers. In a statement, the group says, “JBS workers should know they have the right to resign their union memberships and return to work, regardless of what union officials say.”

Despite the disruption, at least one market analyst says the strike has had a limited impact on cattle markets so far.

“I think in the beef market, especially live cattle futures, shrugged off that JBS news pretty significantly,” said trader Bob Mauer. “When the market takes bad news and reacts bullishly, that’s saying something.”

Negotiations between JBS and union leaders are ongoing, though neither side has indicated a clear path forward at this time.

Related Stories
Co-Bank Lead Dairy Economist, Corey Geiger, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report for a further look at the drop in replacement heifers and the trend’s longterm impact on dairy producers and cattle prices.
Today in Wyoming, Rural Media Group’s late founder, Patrick Gottsch, will be inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame! The rodeo’s CEO, Tom Hirsing, joined us to share why Patrick is so deserving of this honor.
The amendments affect BLM lands in several Western states. Comments on the Sage grouse proposals can be made to the BLM National NEPA Register until Oct. 3.
Mike Formica with the National Pork Producers Council joined us on Market Day Report with his reaction to the EPA’s rollback of a Biden-era wastewater discharge mitigation plan.
“It’s a falsehood to call beef from another country ‘Product of the USA.’”

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma, joined us with a sneak peek at Commodity Classic next week in San Antonio, Texas.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States and the importance of vaccination awareness on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
Federal aid helps, but producers will bear most of the losses. Balance sheets may look stable, but margins remain fragile without policy support.
Biofuel and corn producers await proposal as Renewable Fuels Association pushes for expanded ethanol access.
Strong corn exports support prices while soybeans lag yearly pace. However, large carryover stocks limit upside despite solid yields.
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.