In response to a 14-month lockout of Crystal Sugar workers, a nationwide consumer boycott of American Crystal Sugar products began on October 15.
This boycott is part of the labor movement’s continued support for the 1.300 locked-out workers of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM). The IAM is working closely with BCTGM and AFL-CIO to end the lockout and fully supports the boycott.
“The twelve million union families of the AFL-CIO are proud to stand with the courageous locked-out workers who are responsible for American Crystal Sugar’s profitability and previously strong reputation,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “As we saw with the lock out of the NFL referees, locking out skilled workers who do important, unglamorous work hurts not only the workers, but the bottom line. We hope that this boycott will encourage Crystal Sugar to finally respect its workers, who worked so hard every day to make Crystal Sugar a highly profitable industry leader.”
The effort by Crystal Sugar CEO to break the workers’ union has endangered a generation of labor peace that has made Crystal Sugar a highly profitable industry leader. “We hope that American Crystal Sugar will return to the bargaining table to conclude a contract and end the corporation’s sliding reputation and bottom line,” said Trumka. “With good faith by Crystal Sugar’s management, the corporation can return to its previous course of harmonious labor relations and profitability.”
Sign the petition to end the lockout: aflcio.org/endthelockout.
