AFL-CIO escalates campaign for fairness at American Crystal Sugar

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_5298

25 July 2012

ST. PAUL - Calling American Crystal Sugar “a poster child for corporate greed,” national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka announced the labor movement will escalate the campaign to push for an end to the company’s year-long lockout of 1,300 workers.

“Generations of families have worked here to make American Crystal Sugar a profitable and productive producer of sugar,” Trumka said at a news conference held in St. Paul. “This abysmal display shows total disregard for those employees and the community who have made Crystal Sugar a well renowned brand and a leader in sugar production in this country.”

For decades, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers locals across the Red River Valley worked hand in hand with farmers and management to help the industry prosper and thrive. But on Aug. 1, 2011, the company locked out workers at seven Crystal Sugar production plants and other facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa.

BCTGM members had rejected a contract offer that they said threatened the future of jobs in their communities.

FULL story at link.