LIBERAL — United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2 announced the ratification of a five-year collective bargaining agreement at the National Beef plant in Liberal, Kansas. The contract will bring significant wage increases, bonuses and additional time off through 2031 to more than 2,600 workers.

“Our union is incredibly proud to have negotiated this collective bargaining agreement, which members made possible by trusting and supporting each other,” said Martin Rosas, president of UFCW Local 2. “We are fully committed to securing fair wages, strong benefits and safe working conditions for all workers in the meatpacking industry. That can only be achieved through solidarity.

“This new contract is a bright spot for our members and their families after the chaos that ICE brought to our area just last month. It reflects the value they bring not just to National Beef but to the beef industry as a whole. Without their essential work, many households would struggle to put food on the table. The achievements in this new agreement belong to them.”