From The Deckplates

Fake News Friday, 03/27/2026: It’s a good time to read the Jungle, BMDA on strike

March 27th, 2026

Now is a good time to read (or reread) The Jungle, Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel about the working conditions in Chicago meatpacking plants. “If you’ve ever read ‘The Jungle,’ it’s still going on,” a striking worker told The New York Times.¹ UFCW Local 7 went on strike last week at JBS, a Colorado meatpacking plant that processes as much as 8% of the country’s beef.² Workers report being unable to afford the meat they pack on top of numerous safety issues. Mother Jones adds that Haitian workers have been segregated onto the night shift.³

This strike will translate into higher beef prices. Grocery prices are already likely to increase due to Donald Trump’s reckless war with Iran.⁴ As law and order break down under Trump’s autocratic regime, major corporations are also growing bolder in how they respond to organized labor. Last week, for example, BP locked out 900 workers at an Indiana oil refinery. This came even after the USW agreed to many of the company’s proposals.⁵ BIW also instituted a lockout on Sunday, preventing BMDA members from reporting to their assigned shifts. BMDA rejected BIW’s last, best, and final offer on Saturday after previously authorizing a strike. It is almost certain BMDA would have struck Monday regardless, but BIW beat them to the punch.

BMDA began picketing Monday. They have been holding the line 24/7, with second shifters from Local S6 honking in support as they leave Bath. Even after midnight, striking workers are picketing at South Gate, West Gate, Mahogany Row, and in front of the Local S6 union hall. I have been impressed with the turnout. Members are showing up despite rain and snow. After just two days on strike, BIW upped their offer for wage increases. BIW also reintroduced flexible work schedules and work from home.⁶

BIW may have only offered these concessions to maintain the illusion of bargaining in good faith. Work from home was originally a highly contentious issue. Yet just one day after the new offer, BIW announced it would be expanding work from home during the strike.⁷ One source told me that the number of BMDA members who have crossed the digital picket line is already in the double digits. Meanwhile, they say, management has been discussing the possibility of outsourcing BMDA’s work.