DENVER – After announcing the threat of a strike earlier in December, The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 shared that workers voted to ratify a contract at Denver Processing, a pork and beef case-ready plant owned by JBS USA.

The union said the contract would be in place for three years and influence working conditions for 200 employees. The agreement includes a first-year wage increase for new workers and increases of $4-6 per hour for every employee.

“We are excited that our members voted unanimously to ratify this industry-leading contract that will ensure that JBS respects, protects, and pays these Essential Workers who risked their health and lives during the pandemic to help feed our communities,” said Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7. “We have been negotiating this contract for three months with JBS and are happy both parties finally came to an agreement. We want to thank the tireless bargaining committee and workers who showed up to have their voices heard and their demands met. This fight was always about them, and now they have a contract they deserve and can be proud of.”

Other improvements of the contract include Local 7 employees staying on their existing union health care coverage and ensured pension plans. The union also negotiated an increase in weekly guarantees for minimum hours from 20 to 32.

JBS provide a statement about the negotiations to MEAT+POULTRY on Dec. 16.  

"We are pleased to have worked together with UFCW Local 7 to reach an agreement that will positively benefit our team members and ensure the ongoing production of safe, high-quality food at our Denver Processing facility," a JBS spokesperson said. 

Last September, UFCW Local 7 and JBS USA agreed to a deal at the JBS meat processing plant in Greeley, Colo. The contract was signed for four years.

The union represents about 27,000 workers in Colorado and Wyoming.