Working In These Times
10-Month Iowa Lockout Ends With New Contract, and Disappointment
A ten-month lockout at Roquette America’s corn milling plant in Iowa has come to an end after its unionized workers agreed to a new collective bargaining deal.
Most of the 240 employees represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 48G voted on July 23 to approve a new contract that expires in 2015.
The workers are scheduled to return to the plant located in the town of Keokuk this month. The deal ends a nearly 12-month negotiation period with Roquette, a multinational grain milling company based in France. While the employees are relieved to return to work, they are far from enthusiastic about the new contractual terms.
Union president Steve Underwood told KHQA News that it wasn’t a good contract and they are "going to have to live with it." The sentiment was shared by the rank and file. The July vote was reportedly approved by a slim majority following some modifications to an earlier proposal, which members rejected the previous day.
The local Daily Gate City has the workers reaction following the contract ratification:
37-year Roquette employee Danny Eaton of Keokuk, a philosophical man, took a break on the labor temple porch while the votes were counted. He made it through the lockout in 1985 and he intends to do the same this year.
“If they say it passed, I’m all for it,” he said. “If they say it didn’t pass, I’m all for it. It is what it is and whatever it is, it’s 100 percent.”
That attitude is not universal. One of the first who left the labor hall after the vote said as he passed, “they f---- passed it.”
Another came out in near tears saying, “It passed, brother.”
Others walked out of the labor temple with their hats pulled down low and wearing slight smiles on their faces.
Union members took issue with details over subcontracting union jobs, two-tier wages and insurance contributions. Underwood gave cryptic remarks to local reporters about modifying the terms of subcontracting, suggesting there may be union oversight for any employment moves. Current workers will have their pay frozen for four years, and new hires will see a $2 reduction in hourly wages. Health plans have expanded to four options from two.
Roquette said in a statement that they are “pleased to have the labor dispute behind them.” But there will be tensions in the workplace. The company employed workers from its Illinois plant and also hired replacement workers from an Ohio-based agency. And the Daily Gate City reports that four workers who crossed the picket line are now supervisors. The temporary employees from Ohio will also have a chance to fill positions that are left unoccupied by union members. In all, nine members left the union during this time through retirement, attrition or finding work elsewhere. Others have enrolled in school.
Roquette locked-out workers last September after they rejected a concession-heavy proposal from the company. Lee County, which includes Keokuk, has had the highest rate of unemployed workers in Iowa over the past four years. The union criticized Roquette, which made $3.7 billion annual sales, for receiving local and state subsidies.
During the lockout, Local 48G, in conjunction with several national and international unions, sent a letter to the UN Global Compact and the OECD to help bring an end to the impasse. Talks finally progressed in mid-July when the two sides held negotiations for the first time in three months, leading to the current deal.
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Comments
For the record these modifications to the 48G contract are classic exsamples of union busting and incramental violation of work site rights. Take a look at the UAW unions sell out of its workers.
Roquette’s actions are indicitive of the same senerios at other work places where locks are a very real possiblity.
Sadly will the new contract benifit the workers and their community? And what of the damage this illegal and vindictive action caused to everyone in Keokuk, even those who suported it?
Will 48G workers be expected to perform tasks under the same circumstances as the at will workers are. And how will the former union members now supervisors be able to over see the workers if their personal issues cloud their perspectives, and their employers presure them to practice less than staller agendas on the job? Roqette has scored a victory for anti worker segments of Keokuk and destroryed more that its tax base and civic ligetimcy, Roqette has cast the mold for destrution of the meager living standards American workers are destine to lose if Unionist workers don’t stand together now.
The city of Keokuk desreves better. The next generations will have to live with what a French Multi national was allowed to do even in the face of betrayals that haven’t even develouped to their full extent.
I guess this should tell us something about the quality of union leaders who led 1,300 American Crystal Sugar workers (same union) into a lock-out in the sugar beet industry in the Red River Valley just this past Monday.
Why would these union “leaders” not have provided these workers with the option of occupying these plants instead of voluntarily leaving the plant upon management’s orders knowing that once they left the plants they would be locked-out?
We all know once these workers left these plants after management clearly declared—- over and over again—- that “replacement workers” (scabs)—- would be brought in if workers turned down management’s “final offer” that this is now a “done deal.”
Because these shortsighted and cowardly union leaders who spend all their time pushing down the throats of workers worthless Wall Street politicians like Barack Obama and this wimpy liberal Mark Dayton and Republicans like Collin Peterson posing as Democrats instead of teaching workers about the class struggle and real working class tactics and strategies like going on strike taking control of plants after managements openly state their intent to lock out workers and bring in scabs.
Another 1,300 workers and THEIR FAMILIES are now going to suffer because of the mis-leadership from the same union mentioned in this article.
I don’t see Barack Obama putting on his “marching shoes” to join these workers who will now be forced into taking a worse deal—- in addition to wages lost not to mention going without health insurance—- than managements “final offer.”
If these union leaders had any integrity at all they would now advise these 1,300 workers to accept the “final offer” and go back to work.
As they say, this is now a “done deal” unless the baseball bats are brought out to stop the scabs; but, I doubt union leaders who wouldn’t consider the non-violent occupation of the plants will now take the only other option in stopping the scabs.
I bet Richard Trumka and other union “leaders” will show up to give their militant sounding speeches about how “all labor is with you in this struggle” as they give their worthless spiel never to be seen again.
And I notice not one single politician this union has supported has the courage to bring forward anti-scab legislation.
Talk about workers being doomed.
Thanks for the article that should serve as an alert for the 1,300 American Crystal Sugar workers now wasting their time carrying around picket signs saying, “No Lock-out” when the signs displayed should be saying, “On strike—- support our plant occupations.”
With all due respect, where has In These Times been for the last 6 months? The last report on the Roquette lcokout I could find was from January. So, after an intense struggle ignored for the winter and spring ITT arrives “in time” for the return to work? And quotes the local press? I don’t get it….
As for Alan Maki, just a reminder: ELECTED union leaders did not “mislead” anyone in Keokuk or at American Crystal Sugar. The companies LOCKED THE WORKERS OUT. Thankfully the Am Crystal workers have been preparing for the last six months in the event the company pulled this crap, If he is dissatisified with the level of militance by the union members, why doesn’t he hustle his butt up to Moorhead and just try to “occupy” a plant…as if he has any clue what that entails in a sugar operation. Let’s see how many workers follow him…
Raymond Scannell,
Since you support the BCTGM strategy now being taken when it comes to the American Crystal Sugar lockout, when are you going to get to Moorehead with your baseball bat to stop the scabs?
Your buddy, Mark Froemke and these other union “leaders,” never put the option of a plant occupation on the table for workers to consider and discuss during those six-months you claim preparations were being made.
I am not dissatisfied with the level of militancy by union members or union leaders—- elected or otherwise; I assume you were hired for your position. I am pointing out the dishonesty of you, Mark Froemke and AFL-CIO officials who continue to subject working people to engaging in losing “battles” because you prevent a full and democratic discussion of all avenues of struggle in workers defending their rights and livelihoods.
If union members and their families are satisfied with being used in this way by your union and the AFL-CIO this is their choice. But the outcome is a “done deal.” Why put these workers through the beet-grinder? Just chalk this up as one more loss for the working class and accept “the final offer.” After all, once the scabs go to work this is all a “done deal.”
Mr. Scannell, you conveniently omit the fact that American Crystal Sugar management announced long in advance that workers would be locked out.
You further are so dishonest that you do not tell us that these same union “leaders” who you claim were preparing for six months for this lock-out allowed these very scabs to come into these plants to be trained over many weeks by the very workers who are now locked out.
Yes, union leaders like you and Mark Froemke wearing “Obama in 2012” caps helped management prepare for this lock-out by not putting occupation of the plants on the table for consideration.
If workers at American Crystal Sugar are satisfied with the position they have been forced into by union leaders working in cahoots with management that is up to them. It is they and their families who will suffer; not the high-paid union leaders who kept occupation of the plant off the table.
Mr. Scannell; I notice you do not disclose that you are the BCTGM International Director of Research.
Obviously you are one of these union leaders not doing your job, either. Hence your defense of this failed strategy on the part of your union’s leadership and the AFL-CIO leadership in these lock-outs.
I will be watching for you on the nightly news leading the charge to stop the scabs from entering these plants that you didn’t want workers to occupy because you are an adherent and spokesperson for corrupt, class collaborationist trade unionism.
Come on, Mr. Scannell, explain to all of us how not considering the occupation of these American Crystal Sugar plants is fair to the workers whose families will now suffer.
By the way, how much do you get paid for misleading workers?
As a matter of fact I have many friends who are among those locked out. And I have a better understanding than you what is entailed when it comes to sugar beet processing operations when it comes to these plants.
Come on Mr. Scannell; you are in a position in the BCTGM to explain to us exactly why the occupation of these plants was kept off the table for consideration by workers paying dues; please explain the logic of keeping this option off the table and out of the decision-making process.
How can conditions in these plants where workers spend almost half of their lives be so bad that the plants can’t be occupied… certainly after being represented by your union for so many decades these plants should at least be fit to occupy—- if not, how are they fit for workers to work in?
Let’s have the dialog you denied American Crystal Sugar workers right here.
I really despise you trying to turn and twist my criticism of you, the leaders of BCTGM and the AFL-CIO into a criticism of the workers; another perfect example of how you stand the truth on its head and why workers submitting to your thinking are doomed.
First, thanks for calling me Mr. Scannell, but that was my father and he is dead.
Second, you disagree with the strategy pursued by the local unions at American Crystal. So be it. However, they are elected local union leaders. Unless you intend to run for office and test the strategy you advocate with the electorate, I think it is unfair to vilify them for the strategy they are pursuing. The elected local leaders will be standing for re-election after this lockout is over, and if the membership disagrees with the strategy pursued then they will replace the local leaders. That’s called democracy.
Finally, clearly you have no idea what an occupation entails. Fine. It’s easy to talk about it, harder to do since you must organize and sustain it in the face of overwhelming legal consequences. Also a plant occupation is a tactic, not a strategy. You needs to answer the question what do we do for a follow-up. So, simply put, the option was not seriously considered as an initial tactic because a different and broader range of tactics are being deployed to counter the lockout.
BTW you also don’t seem to understand who the AFL-CIO is and what their role is. They support the actions of affiliates, not dictate or “lead” the affiliates.
Like I said, you may not agree wwith the strategy or the decision to not implement one tactic (which you seem to be fixated on), but I would argue that is no reason for sectarian vilification of the folks who are doing their best in trying circumstances.
Despise folks if you must; there’s not much that can be done about that….
Denial of the real world inflance our top down Unions use isn’t hard to see. But if your stuck in the current belife system even joined at the hip with it, the eventuality that it is going to back fire isn’t a matter of if, its a matter of when.
If the AFl-CIO doesn’t dictate to BCTGM are you going to take responsiblity for not educating the members about the international global rush to force austerity on the workers of the world? How about the greatest redistrabution of wealth in history? Will there be conversations about these issues?
Sir with all do respect, I have personaly listened to my Local’s President demand we adopt a Corparate perspective, and now with another less than worker orinated move she has Formed a Republican cuacus for our GOP members!
Kinder gentiler betrayals are still betrayals.
We at BCTGM do try to educate the membership regarding the global rush to austerity. So, for that matter does the national AFL-CIO. If you check their website and that of Working America you will see that the AFL-CIO is, for better or worse, about the ONLY mass-based organization in Washington attacking the emphasis on austerity and calling for a jobs program and increased investment in American infrastructure, etc.
Unions like the sugar workers locals at Crystal are about the only folks in the US challenging the “austerity mentality” of the corporations.
It is increasingly difficult for the AFL-CIO’s economic message (and that of affiliates) to get out to the country. The elite consensus among politicians and the national media is focused on austerity and cuts and they ignore the work of the global labor movement (see “Exiting the Crisis” by the ITUC) and its allies (see anything written by EPI), so folks like you only hear from teabaggers or perhaps local press.
In that environment its no surprise that elected local leaders consider strategies to “declaw” the Republican onslaught. Lessons to date suggest its futile, but the best path for those who disagree with their local leadership (as you clearly do) is to run against them.
Postings on articles in In These Times don’t accomplish much since, frankly, few folks read In These Times, let alone the comments page.
I would guess this is how the back room deals in Wisconsin are more reflective of what a Union is doing. Allowing cuts and then watching that same amount to be given in more tax cuts for select classes of voters is what?
I am not a big fan of the justice system intruding on union turf when it comes to these sort of disputes. And frankly if the unions are to be redirceted with worker leadership there will have to be a serious internal battle to dislodge the layers of instatutionalized corparate friendly norms.
Oh, as for sit downs or worker led resistance, one only need to look at the European workers to see what we can expect.
America has a proud history of union solidarity and compriensive inclution of all workers in fights against our collective tormrnters.
The current fear based condistions my be controled in order to ready for the next political cycle, but the impacts of both partys betrayals can only be glossed over for so long.
Every union in this country should allow its local’s members to decide where the political monies will go, not the Union Bosses from on high. Including funding for their oun canidates if need be.
A rush to put the Dems in office is no less destructive than voting in the Tea party to do the GOP dirty work. As a matter of fact why haven’t unions held their favorite canidates acountable for the betrayals already ravaging union work sites??? Where is Obama where is BONER why aren’t they down on the picket line with locked out workers?
I have one other item to consider, the dynamic of a worker run sit down isn’t an action reserved for the past.
Every Union worker should study the Republic Windows dynamic’s virious out comes, nearly every politico and community activsit under the Unions control should look at this action. By the way the owner of Republic Windows moved his operation out here to Iowa, thinking he would be able to flourish in a Right to Work State… Where is he now?
The owners story is an eye opener, Republic Windows is a viable modle to mimmic if Workers need a modern exsample to emulate. And so were the Workers down on the picket lines at Roquettes gates, they just didn’t have the correct leadership and no idea of union historys millitant realitys.
What is it unions are rushing to save, because it apears not much worth saving is left? Including most of the Unions international ‘s Bosses seriously.
“Republic Windows dynamic’s virious out comes”
Everyone is aware of Republic Windows…and also aware that their “victory” was to get their severance pay. Where are they today?
PS reference to “union bosses” is using management’s terms…most union leaders are directly elected by local union memberships. Most national and international union leaders are indirectly elected via conventions. COntrast thaat with corporate execs who are owners, or “elected” by shareholder Boards the execs control…or hired by their superiors….
Mr. Scannell;
The fact is the occupation of the American Crystal Sugar plants was never even considered or placed on the table for discussion.
The fact is ACS workers can’t win anything as long as scabs are working.
You are so concerned about what is “legal” yet Mark Froemke and the members of your union opposed resolutions in the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party to repeal “at-will hiring; at-will firing” legislation that I introduced at three state conventions as did the president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO at the time, Ray Waldron.
Not once have any of the leaders of your union introduced resolutions in the MN DFL supporting anti-scab legislation.
Are you worried that the liberal governor of Minnesota, which your union supported, would have called out the National Guard to enforce an injunction against a plant occupation?
In fact, your union has no strategy or tactics capable of winning anything better than management has made in its “final offer.”
You apparently know how to do research.
What does your research tell us about all the lockouts in the last ten years where the employers brought in scabs?
In how many of these lockouts did workers ever achieve anything better than “the final offer?”
In how many of these lockouts did workers end up losing incomes and jobs?
As for what you call “democracy” in your union representing workers employed by American Crystal Sugar; please give us all a break. Democracy involves full and open discussions with everything being on the table. As I have pointed out, occupation of these plants was never placed on the table for the rank-and-file to consider.
I figure I have the right to comment on the affairs of your union and what it does because Mark Froemke and the AFL-CIO “leaders” running this show of yours have seen fit to comment on the activities of casino workers trying to organize.
I figure what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
It really is a shame that American Crystal Sugar workers will have to suffer because of you sell-outs.
As for your cheap shot about “few folks reading In These Times”—- a big shot like you in the labor movement reads it and takes the time to comment so there are plenty of others reading the article and the discussion taking place here.
Might I suggest that you open up a discussion about confronting managements using lockouts with occupations in your union’s own journals and let us see what kind of discussion ensues.
In fact, part of the very problem is that your “leaders” won’t tolerate such discussions in your own journals… so much for “democracy” in the BCTGM.
Also, I noticed my posts regarding the need to consider plant occupations in these circumstances has been removed from a number of AFL-CIO affiliates’ FaceBook pages. How come?
First you complain only a few people are reading the articles and comments here; then my comments are removed from the sites where they are being read. You might want to check your dictionary for the meaning of the word “hypocrite.”
“Sellouts”; “hypocrites”? Sectarian flaming…no wonder you couldn’t get anything passed by the State Fed convention.
Enjoy flaming on about your “enemies” in organized labor; I am sure American Crystal will appreciate it.
Mr. Scannel
Sir I am not sure why you would be upset, we don’t have to live in Minnesota or even Iowa (which is a shameful exsample of Right to Work laws) to know when workers are expected to pay for economic extrotions.
Sir I am not sure what your referring to when you mention Flaming Sectarian but it sounds some what homophobic.
As for enemies in organized labor, sir what would you consider an enemy?
I expect your ilk to be as you are, firmly intrenched and totaly vested in maintaining your status and position.
If you would agree with the above (your statements) surely
you would understand what is at stake here.This is about who we are. Are we servents of a monolithic machine or indaviduals who deserve better than two bit sell outs and social economic desperation.
IF I were a member of the BCTGM I would expect you stand down on the picket line and when a profesional scab rolls past from some Jim Crow state I would want you to have the same feeling of betrayal and desperation your members are experancing. But you won’t will you?
Current union tactics aren’t working, I don’t need a lecture about the political crap, the only time workers have gained any thing we fought for was in direct confrontations, and you know it.
By the way, the Wisconsin dynamic is proof of systemic betrayal’s impacts as is the violent and destructive riots in europe. Sorry but if your ridgid and myopic perspective isn’t influanced by real world situations like standing on your picket lines then your totaly out of touch with the members of your Union.
Please continue your stance it’s the most natural position YOU can take.
If American Labor isn’t willing to go head to head with our enemys, than we will. So who are workers enemys?
Mr. Scannell;
American Crystal Sugar’s management appreciated workers leaving those plants upon management’s command.
BCTGM has abandoned 1,300 workers and their families whose dues go to pay your big fat salary and with your ability to research you can’t figure out that once a company locks out its workers and brings in the scabs that unless you stop those scabs nothing will be won—- these workers can’t even minimize their losses because they and their families can’t freely speak their minds without being intimidated, first by management and then their own union leaders like you.
You have shown yourself to be incapable of defending the decision of BCTGM “leaders” to abandon these American Crystal Sugar plants knowing full well—- by your own admission—- management was going to lock the workers out AND bring in the scabs.
You know damn well you and the leaders of BCTGM have no plans and no strategy that would enable these 1,300 workers to win.
Together with management you have these workers out in the streets with no end to this lockout in sight.
Because of your class collaborationism and connivance with with management, over 1,000 families, including many children, are going to suffer.
You were initially upset with In These Times because they reported that workers were locked out for ten months and went back to work having not made one single gain; but, instead, ended up worse than what they would have had if they had taken management’s “final offer.”
What I don’t understand is WHY the BCTGM would put its own members through such misery when there is no point to be made and nothing to be gained with wages to be lost?
This is what you and the leaders of BCTGM need to explain—- not only to your own members—- but to the entire labor movement.
If you believe for some reason the outcome of this American Crystal Sugar lockout is going to be better than the outcome of the lockout written about in this article, then you need to explain why this would be.
Your members are already suffering from despair and frustration after little more than a week sitting out in the streets with many not even eligible for unemployment compensation.
These workers have children to feed and clothe; mortgages to pay; rising electric bills not to mention the robbery at the gas pumps as food prices soar.
And here the BCTGM has these workers submitting like to management like cattle going off to slaughter.
At least explain what you hope to accomplish by subjecting these workers to a lockout.
Some of the very beet growers who are mostly a bunch of Republicans who you are appealing to for justice, their own children and other relatives are working in these plants as scabs.