Getting in Line

When and where organized labor’s been on the move.

The country’s largest meatpacking company won a new contract after three weeks on the picket line in Colorado. (Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images)

March 16–April 5

Meatpackers in Greeley, CO, followed months of unsuccessful contract negotiations with three weeks on the picket line in an effort to secure wage increases and reimbursement for protective gear. They won a new contract in mid-April that includes a 70-cent raise this year and a 40-cent raise in each of the next two years, additional vacation days, caps on health care costs, and the demanded reimbursements.

  • Employer: JBS USA

  • Union: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7

  • Strike length Number of workers: 21 days 3,800

April 21–June 1

Graduate student workers in Cambridge, MA, spent more than a month on strike fighting for higher pay, an enhanced grievance process, and additional protections for international students. They returned to work after the longest strike in the unit’s history, following indications that the university was willing to negotiate on key issues, and contract negotiations remain ongoing.

This article is for subscribers only. Please login or subscribe to access our full archives and beautiful print and digital magazine starting at just $3 a month.