American Crystal to resume contract talks with union

Union workers at American Crystal Sugar have rejected the company’s latest contract offer. The proposed contract would have bumped pay on average of 17% over four years for most workers.

John Riskey is president of Local 167G of the Bakery, Confection, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union. Riskey says the vote against the new contract was “overwhelming” against. He says the company does not plan to lock out workers as was the case in a labor dispute in 2011. “The company told us at the negotiating table there will not be a lockout. Nobody wants to go through a lockout. It sure wasn’t easy for them. It sure wasn’t easy for our workers.”

Company Voce-President Lia Borgen says they have accepted the union’s request to resume talks. She termed the offer as fair and believes an eventual agreement will get done.

The current contract expires at the end of the month.

The contract covers around 2,000 workers at the various factories – including East Grand Forks.