Effective October 15, 2012, the AFL-CIO has endorsed the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ boycott of American Crystal Sugar Company. This boycott covers all Crystal Sugar brand retail sugar products and private label products, such as Target brand sugar sold in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.
1,300 American Crystal Sugar workers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa have been locked out for 14 months. American Crystal Sugar management refused to budge on its demands to include language in the contract that would restrict seniority rights and increase the use of contract workers. When workers rejected that language, the company locked the workers out and hired replacements. We encourage all affiliated unions to do everything in your power to assist these workers.
To find out more about the boycott visit the BCTGM’s website: http://bctgm.org/2012/10/children-speak-out-against-the-american-crystal-sugar-lockout/