3,800 workers are set to strike Monday at one of the nations largest meatpacking plants

GRELEY, Colo. (AP) — About 3,800 workers at one of the nation’s largest meatpacking plants were scheduled to strike in Colorado Monday morning. Union representatives said it would be the first strike at a U.S. cattle slaughterhouse since the 1980s.

Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents workers at Swift Beef Co. in Greeley. He said the strike at his plant would begin at 5:30 a.m. MDT.

This follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and engaged in other unfair labor practices during contract negotiations. The previous contract was due to expire at midnight Sunday.

The anticipated strike is at a 75-year low for the US cattle population. Stock of 86.2 million on January 1 animals – 1% decrease compared to the previous year. Beef prices increased economic anxiety In the United States, President Donald Trump’s administration has turned to a trade agreement with Argentina to lower food prices, including beef.

This also follows the closure of a store in January. Meatpacking plant in Lexington, NebraskaThis was expected to have an impact on the local economy and society.

Union general counsel Matt Shechter said that at the Greeley plant, the company tried to scare workers into leaving the union by holding one-on-one meetings.

Cordova said 99 percent of workers voted to allow the strike. Shechter said no formal negotiations took place over the weekend after the company rejected the union’s request for negotiations on Saturday.

In its statement, JBS USA said that every employee who does not want a strike will work and receive a salary. The company said it would operate two shifts at the facility on Monday and temporarily move production to other JBS facilities if necessary.

The company operates in full compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws, the statement said.

“Our goal is to minimize the impact on our customers, partners and the broader market as we work to reach an equitable resolution in Greeley,” the company said.

Cordova said this was the first strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse since workers struck at the Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985. this strike it took more than a year There were also violent clashes between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.