JBS Union Workers Ratify New Contract

Over 1,300 workers at beef processing plant in mid-Michigan to receive guaranteed annual wage increases, new pension plan & improvements to paid time off

  GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 voted this week to ratify a new contract at JBS, a beef processing plant located in Plainwell, MI, containing an immediate $750 bonus, guaranteed wage increases each year of the contract, a new pension plan with employer contribution, and improvements to paid time off. UFCW 951 is the largest private sector union in the state, representing over 30,000 workers in a variety of industries, over 1,300 of which are JBS workers.

“We fought hard for wage increases and an overall improved contract for the JBS members,” Courtney Phillips, secretary/treasurer of UFCW Local 951, said. “I am proud of the members who served on the bargaining committee and worked together to achieve contract gains that improve the lives of their fellow members.”

The contract is effective April 11, 2025 and expires in November of 2029. Other improvements to the contract include:

• Improvements to the vacation pay calculation.
• Improved paid time off for employees with 10 years of service, and those with over 25 years of service.
• Increased bereavement leave.
• Increased meal allowance.

Scott Smith, who works in shipping at JBS, served on the bargaining committee, saying he wanted to be a part of making lasting changes to the contract.

“The vacation time is now paid by your average hours worked, as compared to only a 40-hour week, because the majority of us work more hours than that, so that’s a big thing in my eyes,” said Smith. “The pension is a big deal for people who are looking to stay in a long-term position with the company. The company is putting money into the pension, and we don’t have to put any money into it.”

Cornelius Frazier, who works in the cooler at JBS, also served on the bargaining committee so he could have a voice in the contract negotiations.

“I felt I would be able to make a difference with a strong voice and would be able to reach different people to get the message out there,” Frazier said. “I felt we all had a voice, and we are all very involved. Nobody on the bargaining team was left out – it really was a chance to have your voice heard.”

UFCW 951 is the largest private sector union in the state representing over 30,000 workers across Michigan in a variety of industries including grocery, retail, food processing, and the cannabis retail industry who are employed at a variety of companies including Meijer, Meijer Manufacturing, Kroger, JBS, JLL, SunBerry Beverages, Polly’s, Harding’s, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, and Zen Leaf. The UFCW International Union is the largest private sector union in the United States representing over 1.3 million UFCW members nationwide.

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