Minnesota sugar plant locks out workers

Operations at American Crystal Sugar came to a halt this week after approximately 1,300 union workers were locked out from the Moorhead, Minnesota, plant. The union recently voted to reject the company's final contract proposal after disputes over healthcare and job security provisions.

As reported by Minnesota Public Radio, the controversy signals the first major labor dispute in 30 years at the American Crystal Sugar facility. The company was offering a 17 percent pay increase over five years in exchange for changes to the employee healthcare plan.

"It's the benefits. That's the biggest thing there," union worker Zach Nelson told the news outlet. "My wife doesn't work and I have three kids at home, so the insurance is huge on my part."

The dispute has also affected company plants in North Dakota and Iowa. All three locations are currently employing replacement workers as the company remains in off-peak operations mode, according to Business Week.

Although officials believe the business will continue to operate efficiently, several union employees doubt that the country's largest sugar beet manufacturer can continue to rely on transient workers for tasks demanding complex technical skills.

In The News is brought to you by WinMill Software, the premier technology services provider for Unions and Benefit Funds. Check out eMembership, our web-based membership and dues system designed exclusively for unions.