Rally (Moorhead, Mn) planned Aug. 11 to support 1,300 locked-out sugar workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4949

By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
4 August 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.

Some 1,300 members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco & Grain Millers union were barred from their jobs Monday by the company after they rejected Crystal Sugar’s contract offer by an overwhelming margin. The company has hired out-of-state workers to run some operations at the plants, the union said.

The rally is scheduled for noon, Thursday, Aug. 11, outside American Crystal Sugar headquarters at 101 N. Third St., Moorhead. Participants will also march to the nearby bridge spanning the Red River between Moorhead and Fargo, North Dakota, then go to Davy/Memorial/Riverfront Park to hear labor leaders and other speakers.

The union plans to run buses to bring members from Drayton, N.D., Crookston and East Grand Forks, said Mark Froemke, a union officer helping to coordinate the effort. Community residents and members of other unions also are scheduled to participate.

Those who cannot attend can show support by signing an on-line petition coordinated by the Minnesota AFL-CIO. More than 3,000 people had signed by mid-week.

“We want to show people they’re not alone,” Froemke said.

FULL story at link.

For more information
See the special lockout website.

Related articles
Unions build support for locked-out sugar workers
On the Blue Stem Prairie website, view links to several news articles and editorials on the lockout
Sugar workers locked out in Red River Valley
Sugar workers fear lockout in Red River Valley

[arcane1]

1. Wish I could be there!!!

But I'll do my best to let people know of their plight. The media won't do it!!!

[Omaha Steve]

2. Kick

[dana_b]

3. k&r

:kick:

[Odin2005]

4. My dad is one of those workers. SUPORT LABOR!!!

[MinneapolisMatt]

5. K&R

[Eyerish]

6. K&R