Half of locked-out Crystal workers to return to work

[CatholicEdHead]

http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/17372/

Only half of the nearly 1,300 locked-out American Crystal union workers are expected to return to work. American Crystal Sugar spokeman Brian Ingulsrud told WDAZ in an email that they know at least 650 union employees have either retired or resigned.

Last Saturday locked out workers narrowly ratified a contract that will allow them to return to work. Ingulsrud says after 20 months of being locked out, over the next 40 days workers will be returning to their jobs. He says the company is talking with the temporary and replacement workers about the large number of open positions they foresee at the factories, and they are working to keep as many of these workers as possible after roughly 650 union workers return to their job. Union officials say it will be transition as workers return to work.

John Riskey, Union President: "Their is no doubt there is a concern, like I said we have never been through something like this before. Never say never but we can on this one. We will be professional we will be good."

Riskey says union workers should look for a letter in the mail in the next couple of days telling them about employment. And it they don't get a letter, to contact the company headquarters or contact their local union office.