Crystal Sugar union going after US sugar import controll

Have they given up, and are just trying to spite Crystal Sugar before the union collapses?

Sure curious, do you hate American workers or just Americans ?

I crapped in my pants.

My hand was down there, feeling around and now my keyboard is all icky.

What's interesting, is Jw/trolls fancies themselves an intelligent adults, capable of intelligent political commentary, but he follows me with filth. Minnesota should be "proud" !??

What's interesting, is Jw/trolls fancies themselves as intelligent adults, capable of intelligent political commentary, but he follows me with filth. Minnesota should be "proud" !??

Seattle Slew wrote:

What's interesting, is Jw/trolls fancies themselves as intelligent adults, capable of intelligent political commentary, but he follows me with filth. Minnesota should be "proud" !??

This is not a thread about you. Stay on topic or get the hell out of here.

What's interesting, is Jw/trolls fancies themselves as intelligent adults, capable of intelligent political commentary, but she follows me with filth. Minnesota should be "proud" !?? Right on time ! LMAOROTF !

This is typical union. If we don't get our way, we will destroy you any way we can. Even to the point where nobody will have a job.

Adam wrote:

This is typical union. If we don't get our way, we will destroy you any way we can. Even to the point where nobody will have a job.

The BCTW union represents more than just the ACS workers. Why would they attempt to attack the entire industry to spite 1 company? As a union member, why would you allow your union to attack the industry you work in? As an person who wants their job back at ACS, why would you allow your union to attack the sugar industry?

This just goes to show you how off track they have gotten.

JTY wrote:

<quoted text>
The BCTW union represents more than just the ACS workers. Why would they attempt to attack the entire industry to spite 1 company? As a union member, why would you allow your union to attack the industry you work in? As an person who wants their job back at ACS, why would you allow your union to attack the sugar industry?

Good questions. Now I have two questions for you.

The last and final offer from the company was for a 17% increase in wages. The company did ask for some work rule changes and for the union members to pay up to the level the non-union employees paid for their health insurance. That change was to be phased in over the life of the contract.

Considering that ND, where the bulk of the employees reside, does not pay unemployment benefits for labor disputes...

And the vast majority of the workforce is unskilled labor earning far above the prevailing wage for the region...

And the company had been very public with their finances and justifications in the contract negotiations...

And the company after a very long and protracted negotiation period said this was the "last and final" offer...

1. Why would the union bosses tell the membership that this contract should be voted down?

2. Why would the membership think the company was bluffing?

“Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked. Crystal Sugar management hired replacement workers and security guards to protect the factories from their own workers,” said John Riskey, President of BCTGM Local 167G.“We’re here today to ask why? Was it to reduce productivity? Was it to starve your neighbors? Was it to hit local businesses in a down economy? Was it to divide our communities? Because that’s what’s happening.”

Union members questioned the company’s contention that it cannot afford the union contract, pointing out that the last three years have been profitable for ACSC, and directors have rewarded top executives handsomely. The company reported last week that its net revenues grew by over 28% from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2011 to $1.54 billion. President and CEO Dave Berg’s total annual compensation package grew to $2.44 million in 2011.

“We worked hard to produce a quality product until they locked us out four months ago, and it shows in the company’s recent results,” said Kari Sorenson who worked at the ACSC Moorhead factory.“I am angry that the board has rewarded CEO Dave Berg with a $2.4 million compensation package this year. And yet management are committed to taking away from the workers who’ve helped make this company such a success, no matter the cost to our communities.”

Union members point to years of cooperative relations between the union and the company. They say that failure of the congressional Super Committee has put the sugar program in renewed danger of devastating cuts or being abolished altogether.

“For decades we’ve worked together with growers and management to produce a quality product and to defend our way of life here in the Red River Valley. At a time when several legislative efforts to kill the sugar program are afoot, we should be working together to support our industry,” said Riskey.

Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked.

It isn't like it was a surprise - they were warned.

Adam wrote:

Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked.
It isn't like it was a surprise - they were warned.

PROVE IT !

Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked. Crystal Sugar management hired replacement workers and security guards to protect the factories from their own workers,” said John Riskey, President of BCTGM Local 167G.“We’re here today to ask why? Was it to reduce productivity? Was it to starve your neighbors? Was it to hit local businesses in a down economy? Was it to divide our communities? Because that’s what’s happening.”

Seattle Slew wrote:

<quoted text>PROVE IT !
Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked. Crystal Sugar management hired replacement workers and security guards to protect the factories from their own workers,” said John Riskey, President of BCTGM Local 167G.“We’re here today to ask why? Was it to reduce productivity? Was it to starve your neighbors? Was it to hit local businesses in a down economy? Was it to divide our communities? Because that’s what’s happening.”

I'm not sure I have to prove anything to you. Do your own research. The farmers have been very open about what they are doing.

Adam wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not sure I have to prove anything to you. Do your own research. The farmers have been very open about what they are doing.

SO, you make unsupported statement and expect credibility !?? Must be lying, if simple proof isn't available to prove your claim. Are you related to IrassWN ?

JTY wrote:

Have they given up, and are just trying to spite Crystal Sugar before the union collapses?

get them out - the unions are a thing of the past, just ask Wisconsin, Be strong Gov Walker, we need you to hold the out of control spending.

“Four months ago today, workers arrived at Crystal Sugar factories up and down the Red River Valley to find the doors locked. Crystal Sugar management hired replacement workers and security guards to protect the factories from their own workers,” said John Riskey, President of BCTGM Local 167G.“We’re here today to ask why? Was it to reduce productivity? Was it to starve your neighbors? Was it to hit local businesses in a down economy? Was it to divide our communities? Because that’s what’s happening.”

Union members questioned the company’s contention that it cannot afford the union contract, pointing out that the last three years have been profitable for ACSC, and directors have rewarded top executives handsomely. The company reported last week that its net revenues grew by over 28% from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2011 to $1.54 billion. President and CEO Dave Berg’s total annual compensation package grew to $2.44 million in 2011.

“We worked hard to produce a quality product until they locked us out four months ago, and it shows in the company’s recent results,” said Kari Sorenson who worked at the ACSC Moorhead factory.“I am angry that the board has rewarded CEO Dave Berg with a $2.4 million compensation package this year. And yet management are committed to taking away from the workers who’ve helped make this company such a success, no matter the cost to our communities.”

Union members point to years of cooperative relations between the union and the company. They say that failure of the congressional Super Committee has put the sugar program in renewed danger of devastating cuts or being abolished altogether.

“For decades we’ve worked together with growers and management to produce a quality product and to defend our way of life here in the Red River Valley. At a time when several legislative efforts to kill the sugar program are afoot, we should be working together to support our industry,” said Riskey.

MOORHEAD, MINN.- Thirty years of labor peace at a Red River Valley institution, American Crystal Sugar, ended Monday with 1,300 workers locked out of their jobs.
It's one of the biggest labor stoppages in the state in recent years, and one that involves one of northwestern Minnesota's largest private employers.
Moorhead-based American Crystal, a farmer-owned co-op and the largest U.S. beet sugar producer, made good on its lockout threat after workers resoundingly rejected a contract offer Saturday. The old contract, which covered Moorhead and four other Red River Valley plants, expired at midnight Sunday.
At about 7:50 a.m. on a grim, rainy Monday, replacement workers -- three big white Ford vans full of them -- rolled through the main gate of the Moorhead plant to keep production going. They drew cold stares and cold comments from union worker toting picket signs.
No new negotiations have been set, and the company has termed its previous offer "final." Still, "We would be open to talking again," said Brian Ingulsrud, American Crystal's vice president for administration.
American Crystal Sugar has 2,800 shareholders from 875 sugar beet farms. The cooperative's 15-member board is made up of farmers.
At one time, a cooperative or nonprofit company -- like the Twin Cities hospitals involved in a labor showdown with nurses last summer -- might have been "kinder and gentler with its workers," said Peter Rachleff, a Macalester College history professor who specializes in labor studies. "There is now just one rule book being used by companies across the country."
Star Tribune staff writer Dee DePass contributed to this report. Mike Hughlett • 612-673
Contract was rejected!!! They knew it could happen

Niether of the Above wrote:

MOORHEAD, MINN.- Thirty years of labor peace at a Red River Valley institution, American Crystal Sugar, ended Monday with 1,300 workers locked out of their jobs.
It's one of the biggest labor stoppages in the state in recent years, and one that involves one of northwestern Minnesota's largest private employers.
Moorhead-based American Crystal, a farmer-owned co-op and the largest U.S. beet sugar producer, made good on its lockout threat after workers resoundingly rejected a contract offer Saturday. The old contract, which covered Moorhead and four other Red River Valley plants, expired at midnight Sunday.
At about 7:50 a.m. on a grim, rainy Monday, replacement workers -- three big white Ford vans full of them -- rolled through the main gate of the Moorhead plant to keep production going. They drew cold stares and cold comments from union worker toting picket signs.
No new negotiations have been set, and the company has termed its previous offer "final." Still, "We would be open to talking again," said Brian Ingulsrud, American Crystal's vice president for administration.
American Crystal Sugar has 2,800 shareholders from 875 sugar beet farms. The cooperative's 15-member board is made up of farmers.
At one time, a cooperative or nonprofit company -- like the Twin Cities hospitals involved in a labor showdown with nurses last summer -- might have been "kinder and gentler with its workers," said Peter Rachleff, a Macalester College history professor who specializes in labor studies. "There is now just one rule book being used by companies across the country."
Star Tribune staff writer Dee DePass contributed to this report. Mike Hughlett • 612-673
Contract was rejected!!! They knew it could happen

They were warned in March that a falure to agree to a new contract would result in a lockout.