A Multilingual Movement: The Return of Mass Strikes in U.S. Meatpacking

On March 16, 2026, nearly 4,000 workers at a JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, walked off the job in what became the largest U.S. meatpacking strike in four decades. 

The strike, described as spanning “57 languages”, was not just a labor dispute, but a powerful demonstration of solidarity across immigrant communities in one of the country’s most dangerous and exploitative industries. The workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, launched the strike after months of stalled contract negotiations. Their demands were straightforward but urgent. The workers called for higher wages to keep up with inflation, safer working conditions, and an end to increasingly intense production speeds.

At the heart of the dispute was a familiar issue in meatpacking, doing more work for less pay. Workers reported that line speeds had increased while hours were reduced, effectively intensifying labor without compensation. In an online article published by Labor Notes on March 22, In 57 Languages, Meatpackers Strike for the First Time in 40 Years, the authors highlight how the very people responsible for feeding the nation struggled to afford basic groceries themselves. 

The diversity highlighted in the “57 languages” description reflects a continuous pattern in the meatpacking industry which is its reliance on immigrant labor. From Eastern European workers in the early 20th century to today’s workforce largely composed of immigrants from Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, companies have historically drawn from vulnerable populations. 

Employers have often used immigration status and language barriers to maintain control, discourage organizing, and suppress wages. The Greeley strike showcases how that dynamic is beginning to shift, as workers across language and cultural differences unite around shared conditions.

The industry remains one of the most hazardous in the United States. Workers perform repetitive, high-speed tasks with sharp tools and heavy machinery, leading to injury rates significantly higher than other manufacturing sectors. The push for faster production, which is central to modern meatpacking profitability, has only intensified these risks.

The strike is significant not just because of its size, but because it signals a potential turning point. It is the first major strike in the meat-packing industry in 40 years, breaking a decades long period in which companies largely held the upper hand. 

Economically, the strike occurred at a moment of tension in the beef industry, with high consumer prices and tight supply chains. This gave workers great leverage, as disruptions to production could dramatically spread across national food systems.

Following three weeks on strike, workers at the JBS plant ultimately secured a victory, with the company conceding to key demands after sustained pressure. According to After Three-Week Strike, JBS Concedes to Meatpacking Workers published by Labor Notes on April 23, the new agreement comprises a $1.50 an hour in wage increases over a short two-year agreement, improved health and safety provisions including a new policy on personal protective equipment, and limits on production speed, concerns that had been central to the dispute. The outcome reflects the effectiveness of worker solidarity across language and cultural barriers, as sustained collective action forced one of the largest meatpacking companies in the country to retreat from its initial position. While not all demands were fully met, the settlement represents a significant win in an industry where labor power has long been weakened. 

The strike represents a return of collective action in an industry long defined by exploitation and declining labor power. It also signals that even in highly disconnected, globalized workforces, solidarity is still possible and potentially transformative. This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter. One where workers, speaking dozens of languages, are finally heard in one voice.

by Alyssa Gamino