Following negotiations between the UFCW, JBS, and Pennsylvania leaders, 400 union jobs are staying at the JBS beef facility in Souderton, Pa.
The plant is transitioning to a value-added and case-ready facility, which means ending its harvesting and processing operations this month. The location was originally scheduled to close permanently, but now JBS will invest $30 million to modernize the facility, keeping hundreds of jobs in Souderton. Workers at the refurbished plant will process bulk meat into consumer-ready cuts, seasoned or marinated products, and retail-ready packages for grocery stores and supermarkets.
“We are grateful for the collaborative efforts that made this outcome possible and want to thank Governor Shapiro, Congressman Fitzpatrick, the Montgomery County Commissioners, and everyone who worked diligently on behalf of our members to keep the Souderton facility open,” said UFCW Local 1776 Keystone State President Wendell Young IV. “While this announcement provides stability for hundreds of workers and their families, UFCW Local 1776KS stands with our members who will still be out of a job come Friday. JBS’ investment in this facility rightly identifies the indispensable role meatpacking workers play in Montgomery County and beyond, and we look forward to continuing to work with JBS as the facility transitions to case-ready operations.”
UFCW International President Milton Jones added, “We will continue to work with our partners to support the UFCW members who are still losing their jobs during this transition. Workers need long-term solutions to the headwinds the beef industry faces, or else plants will continue to shutter and communities will continue to lose jobs.”