American Crystal Sugar Factory Lockout

Floor Speech

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to what is a very serious problem for the families of at least 1,300 workers, 900 of whom live in my home State of Minnesota. They've been in a labor dispute with their company. On Friday, there is a chance to go back to the bargaining table to come up with a good settlement.

Now, these workers, they didn't go on strike. They've been locked out. They've been locked out for 10 months at the American Crystal Sugar Factory in Moorhead, Minnesota. Many of these people have worked at this factory their entire lives and are really good, solid members of their community. These workers have gone to work, and they've actually stood up and gone to bat for the company, particularly regarding the sugar program, and in countless other ways as well. These workers even vowed not to go on strike because they know how important their work is to the company and to the community. The only thing they've done wrong is they haven't been able to pay their higher health insurance costs, which is the real crux of the negotiation.

This Friday, the sides are going back to the bargaining table for the first time in 4 months. I commend both labor and management for getting back to the table. But, Madam Speaker, I urge management to listen carefully to the pleas of these workers and to come up with a fair settlement.

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