Cargill has stopped paying approximately 1,700 employees at its beef processing facility in Fort Morgan, Colorado, as a labor dispute between the company and Teamsters Union workers continues to escalate.
According to the workers’ union, the company halted pay on Wednesday after suspending cattle slaughter operations at the plant about a month ago. Cargill said it initiated a lockout after employees rejected what the company described as a fair contract proposal representing an estimated $33.4 million investment in workers.
Reuters said the dispute comes during a turbulent period for the U.S. beef industry. Beef prices have reached record highs this year as consumer demand remains strong while the nation’s cattle herd sits at its lowest level in 75 years. Meatpackers have faced mounting pressure from tighter cattle supplies and rising livestock costs that have outpaced gains from higher beef prices.
Workers have continued pushing for higher wages amid rising living costs.
NAFB news service
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