Union members again reject American Crystal Sugar offer

Union members who have been locked out from American Crystal Sugar plants since the start of August rejected the company’s most recent offer in a vote Tuesday. Ninety percent of voting union workers rejected the deal, according to the union, with 92 percent of all union members voting.

“If company executives are serious about getting us back to work, they should return to the negotiating table immediately with real compromises, not just repackaged versions of a contract that has now been rejected twice,” said Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union local 167G President John Riskey. “It’s time for a contract that benefits workers, the company, growers, and the community.”’

The workers in three states have been locked out since they rejected a contract at the end of July, partly due to concerns about the cost of a new health care plan and provisions that would have allowed the company to use more subcontractors.

“Today our members sent a loud and clear message to American Crystal Executives,” said Riskey. “We want to work, but we will not accept a contract that puts our jobs and the entire community at risk.”

The only two previous negotiations were requested by a federal mediator. There are no negotiations scheduled.

The lockout affects 1,300 union workers at facilities in Moorhead, East Grand Forks, Crookston, and Chaska, Minn.; Hillsboro and Drayton, N.D.; and Mason City, Iowa.