JBS (JBS) workers at its Swift beef plant in Colorado will start a strike March 16 over unfair labor practices, the UFCW Local 7 union said Monday.

"Workers hoped that the recent bargaining session would have led to a breakthrough in negotiations with JBS, but instead JBS sent the workers a clear message that the company is putting profits ahead of its people," the union said.

The company is continuing to propose wage hikes of less than 2% a year on average, which UFCW Local 7 said was "hardly enough" to pay for the increased cost of living and inadequate to cover increases to healthcare premiums.

JBS continues to threaten to withhold both a proposed bonus and lump-sum pension payment in case of a work stoppage, the union said.

The company didn't immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.