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.
“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 Crystal Sugar 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 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.
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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.
“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 Crystal Sugar 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 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.