Workday Minnesota coverage of the lockout at American Crystal Sugar.
More than 1,300 workers at American Crystal Sugar facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa have been locked out of their jobs since Aug. 1. They have helped make Crystal Sugar the largest and most profitable producer of sugar from beets in the United States, but the company is seeking to undercut their wages, benefits and job security.
6th month locked out by American Crystal Sugar: Hillsboro Picket Shack
6th month locked out by American Crystal Sugar: East Grand Forks, MN
6th month locked out by American Crystal Sugar: Drayton,ND
Keith Ellison on the American Crystal Sugar lockout
Crystal Sugar worker speaks out
'Nothing Sweet About It'
Articles
Sugar workers hopeful for end to 10-month lockout By Barb Kucera, Workday editor June 6, 2012 MOORHEAD - Workers locked out by American Crystal Sugar since last Aug. 1 completed a week-long “Caravan for Cooperation and Negotiation” Wednesday, expressing hope that Friday’s negotiations will result in an agreement.
Sugar workers’ caravan garners support June 3, 2012 DRAYTON, North Dakota - A “ Caravan for Cooperation and Negotiation” by locked-out sugar workers is garnering support across the Red River Valley, the website CrystalGreed.com reports.
Locked-out Crystal Sugar workers plan 125-mile trek May 29, 2012 DRAYTON, North Dakota - A band of locked-out American Crystal Sugar union workers, family members and friends will begin a “Caravan for Cooperation and Real Negotiation” at the Crystal Sugar factory in Drayton, North Dakota, on Wednesday. BCTGM sugar locals meet in Red River Valley April 19, 2012 EAST GRAND FORKS - Thirty-four representatives of 11 Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco & Grain Millers local unions met April 14 to discuss issues of importance to union members employed in the sugar industry. Chief among those issues was American Crystal Sugar’s lockout of 1,300 BCTGM members in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa nearly nine months ago.
Payments to Crystal Sugar shareholders shrink as lockout continues April 13, 2012 FARGO, North Dakota - Maintaining good relations with employees pays off with more profits, if recent figures from American Crystal Sugar and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative are any indication.
Locked-out workers deliver message at bank meeting April 5, 2012 FARGO, North Dakota - Dozens of locked out American Crystal Sugar employees and their allies rallied outside CoBank’s North Dakota Customer Meeting in Fargo Wednesday. Crystal Sugar workers call on CoBank to help end lockout April 3, 2012 FARGO, North Dakota - Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union who have been locked out for more than eight months by American Crystal Sugar Co. will rally outside a CoBank customer meeting Tuesday. Videos document Journey for Justice Feb. 24, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota Labor Education Service has produced videos documenting the first legs of the “Journey for Justice” by locked-out workers at American Crystal Sugar and Cooper Tire. Steelworkers reach tentative agreement to end Cooper Tire lockout Feb. 24, 2012 PITTSBURGH - A “Journey for Justice” to draw attention to the lockouts at Cooper Tire Co. in Findlay, Ohio, and American Crystal Sugar in the Red River Valley may turn into a partial celebration as the Steelworkers announced a tentative agreement with Cooper Tire. Locked-out women take a stand for their jobs By Barb Kucera Feb. 22, 2012 MOORHEAD - Teresa Brown and Becki Jacobson live nearly 1,000 miles apart, but they share a bond forged by adversity. Both are taking a stand against employers who have locked them out of their jobs. Locked-out workers plan events this week across Minnesota Feb. 20, 2012 MOORHEAD - Workers locked out of their jobs by two large companies – American Crystal Sugar and Cooper Tire & Rubber – join forces this week for a “Journey for Justice” that includes events across Minnesota. Ellison speaks out about lockout Feb. 8, 2012 WASHINGTON - Congressman Keith Ellison, DFLer from Minnesota's 5th District, spoke out on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives recently to call for an end to the lockout of American Crystal Sugar workers. As lockout marks six months, American Crystal Sugar workers stand firm By Steve Share Feb. 1, 2012 EAST GRAND FORKS - After six months locked out by American Crystal Sugar, union workers in the Red River Valley are only growing stronger in their resolve to insist on a fair contract. Workers stage 'back to work' action at American Crystal Sugar By Steve Share Feb. 1, 2012 EAST GRAND FORKS - Union members reported for work Feb. 1 at American Crystal Sugar’s East Grand Forks factory. Rather than going inside to their jobs, however, they remained outside the gates of the factory where they were locked-out from their jobs six months ago to the day — and instead hollered at scabs going inside the plant. Texans support locked-out sugar workers Jan. 25, 2012 FRISCO, Texas - The Bisons of North Dakota State University may have beat their hometown team, San Houston State, for the NCAA Division 1 Championship, but Texans showed that some issues transcend even a fierce football rivalry. Crystal Sugar workers disappointed by company’s rejection of proposal Jan. 16, 2012 MOORHEAD - Workers locked out by American Crystal Sugar since Aug. 1 are disappointed the company rejected a formal proposal to end the labor-management dispute, union leaders said. At the same time, the company released a quarterly report showing the lockout has significantly lowered profits. Locked-out Crystal Sugar workers meet with Senator Franken Jan. 10, 2012 EAST GRAND FORKS - U.S. Senator Al Franken met for more than an hour Tuesday with about 100 workers who have been locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar Company since Aug. 1. Toy drive provides holiday cheer to locked-out families By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Dec. 22, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - Families of the 1,300 workers locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar are having a happier holiday thanks to the generosity expressed through “Operating Christmas Solidarity.” Cost of Crystal Sugar lockout to communities: $30 million and counting By Amy Masciola Dec. 6, 2011 MOORHEAD - When a company locks out workers and won’t negotiate a contract, the entire community suffers a massive economic loss—as a new report on the economic effects of American Crystal Sugar Co.’s lockout of 1,300 workers in the Upper Midwest details. Join Operation Christmas Solidarity Dec. 5, 2011 ST. PAUL - The St. Paul and Minneapolis Regional Labor Federations are participating in a toy drive to benefit the children of the locked-out American Crystal Sugar workers. Locked-out workers speak outside Crystal Sugar annual meeting Dec. 1, 2011 FARGO, North Dakota - Locked out members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union gathered at the Holiday Inn in South Fargo where American Crystal Sugar Company was holding its annual meeting Thursday to question the company’s motivation in locking them out four months ago. Crystal Sugar CEO compares locked-out workers to cancerous tumor Nov. 30, 2011 MOORHEAD - The already strained relationship between management of American Crystal Sugar Company and its 1,300 locked-out workers was dealt another serious blow when recordings of anti-worker statements by President and CEO Dave Berg were made public this week. More than $22,000 raised for locked-out workers Nov. 30, 2011 SOUTH ST. PAUL - A fundraiser at the UFCW Local 1189 hall Tuesday night netted more than $22,000 in donations for the 1,300 workers locked out at American Crystal Sugar. Fundraiser Tuesday to support locked-out sugar workers Nov. 25, 2011 SOUTH ST. PAUL - Supporters of locked-out American Crystal Sugar workers will hold a rally and fundraiser Tuesday, Nov. 29, in South St. Paul. Governor urges renewed negotiations at American Crystal Sugar Nov. 23, 2011 ST. PAUL - Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is urging an end to the lockout of American Crystal Sugar employees in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa that has created hardship for 1,300 families.' Union hosts gathering for veterans locked out at sugar plants Nov. 13, 2011 FARGO, North Dakota - Veterans and union members gathered at the Fargo Labor Temple Friday to commemorate Veterans Day and to honor the service of the many veterans who now find themselves locked out by their employer, American Crystal Sugar. Sugar workers welcome elected officials’ call for renewed negotiations Nov. 3, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - American Crystal Sugar workers who have been locked out of their jobs since Aug. 1 are hopeful the company will listen to elected officials who are calling for them to return to the bargaining table. Union members again reject American Crystal Sugar offer By Jon Collins Nov. 1, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - 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. Locked-out sugar workers to vote Nov. 1 on contract offer Oct. 27, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - The 1,300 workers locked out of their jobs since Aug. 1 by American Crystal Sugar will vote Nov. 1 on a contract offer, their union announced. Support fund set up for locked-out sugar workers Sept. 20, 2011 ST. PAUL - The Minnesota AFL-CIO is collecting donations to help the 1,300 sugar industry workers and their families locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar since Aug. 1. Sugar workers to protest anti-union firm and leaflet Viking and Gopher games Sept. 15, 2011 MINNETONKA - Union members and supporters plan actions this week to call for an end to the lockout of 1,300 employees of American Crystal Sugar in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. Sugar workers launch digital campaign to end lockout By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Sept. 12, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - Sugar workers who have been locked out from their jobs since Aug. 1 are leafleting stores across Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa Monday, asking consumers to use their smartphones to send a message to American Crystal Sugar. Small group weathers sugar lockout in Chaska By Steve Share Sept. 7, 2011 CHASKA - While hundreds of locked-out union sugar workers and supporters marched and chanted in Moorhead and Fargo recently, hundreds of miles away in Chaska a smaller group of locked-out union workers stood quietly outside a row of four towering silos with their picket signs. Rally targets company supplying replacement workers in sugar industry lockout By Steve Share, Labor Review editor Sept. 1, 2011 MINNETONKA - Thursday began the second month of a lockout of 1,300 union workers by American Crystal Sugar, which has contracted with Minnetonka-based Strom Engineering to supply replacement workers. Union continues to press for end to American Crystal Sugar lockoutt Aug. 28, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - The union representing 1,300 sugar industry workers expressed hope that American Crystal Sugar would return to the bargaining table, even though a recent meeting proved fruitless. Pressure grows on sugar company to end lockout By John Wojcik Aug. 19, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - The City Council here voted unanimously Wednesday to send a letter urging American Crystal Sugar to return to negotiations with its locked-out workers. Video: 'Nothing Sweet About It' Aug. 13, 2011 MOORHEAD - The people locked out by American Crystal Sugar have given decades of work and foregone numerous holidays and family events for the company. They share their views in this new video. Locked-out workers take message to Crystal Sugar’s doorstep By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Aug. 12, 2011 MOORHEAD - More than 600 locked out sugar workers and supporters rallied outside the headquarters of American Crystal Sugar Thursday, demanding an end to the lockout that has shaken communities up and down the Red River Valley. Faces of the lockout Aug. 12, 2011 MOORHEAD - Going without a paycheck – and essentials like health insurance – are taking a toll on the 1,300 families hit by the American Crystal Sugar lockout. Rally planned Aug. 11 to support locked-out sugar workers By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Aug. 4, 2011 MOORHEAD - Workers locked out of sugar processing plants across the Red River Valley will gather Aug. 11 to protest at the headquarters of American Crystal Sugar. Other union members are showing support by signing an on-line petition and blocking deliveries to the factories. Unions build support for locked-out sugar workers Aug. 3, 2011 MOORHEAD - More than 3,000 people have signed an on-line petition urging American Crystal Sugar to end its lockout of 1,300 employees, the Minnesota AFL-CIO reported Wednesday. Meanwhile, the workers are building support in the communities of the Red River Valley. Sugar workers locked out in Red River Valley Aug. 1, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - After voting overwhelmingly to reject the final offer from American Crystal Sugar, some 1,300 workers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa have been locked out. Sugar workers fear lockout in Red River Valley July 25, 2011 EAST GRAND FORKS - Some 1,500 workers at American Crystal Sugar Company facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa may be locked out of their jobs next week if no contract agreement is reached, union leaders said.
