Yves came because organized labor was hit so hard in the United States that few people even knew the personal risks (robbery, lynching, murder) borne by the first wave of union promoters; Events like the Ludlow massacre have turned things around), workers still have a long way to go to return to the glorious era of the 1950s and 1960s. Even local leaders, such as the Kellogg strike account below, admit that they still have a lot of work to do.

By the way, it is worth noting that the union’s idea of ??restricting offshore outsourcing as a top priority is worth noting. Crispy foods such as biscuits and biscuits will go bad! The closer the shelf life, the better the product. But Kellogg, which has now acquired various brands, must feel that it now controls enough grocery store shelf space, and it can get rid of the destruction of its products.

go through Wendy C. Thomas. Originally published on MLK50

On October 8, transitional and legacy workers demonstrated outside the Memphis Kellogg factory. A few days ago, employees across the country went on strike in October to protest the two-level wage system.Photo taken by Andrea Morales for MLK50

The 11-week national Kellogg strike ended on Tuesday as union workers approved an contract This provides transitional workers with normal employment channels and guarantees that factories will not be closed for five years.

The move comes two weeks after the bakery, candy store, tobacco workers and grain processors union (representing the strike held by 1,400 Kellogg workers in four U.S. factories since early October). Reject the union proposal.

Anthony Shelton, President of BCTGM International, said: “Our strikers at Carrefour’s instant grain production facility bravely stood firm and made great sacrifices to reach a fair contract.” In the statement on Tuesday.

“The agreement has yielded benefits, but does not include any concessions,” Sheldon said.

According to the union, the contract also increases pension benefits and raises the cost of living.

Although the president of BCTGM International signed the contract on favorable terms, a local union leader was not so optimistic and pointed out that the company’s CEO almost made a profit. $12 million In 2021, jobs can still be sent overseas.

Rob Eafen, president of BCTGM Local 252-G, said: “We didn’t lose anything, we didn’t have takeaways, but the profit could have been better.” He voted against it.

“The company still has the right to outsource our work,” Eafen said. “If they want to transfer production to a foreign country such as Mexico, they can still do so. This is one of the larger items on our list of proposals, but the company said that their only commitment is not to close the factory.”

One of the biggest sticking points between the union and Kellogg is the two-tier compensation system, which was proposed by the company and the union agreed in 2015 as a one-time cost reduction concession.

Eafen said that transition workers earn $19 an hour (excluding cost of living adjustments and shift differences) and contribute to their health care. Traditional workers’ hourly wage is capped at $34, and their health insurance is fully covered. Kellogg hopes to make this two-tier system permanent.

Workers are considered essential during the pandemic because they produce and distribute grains such as Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, and Frosted Flakes, but they are frustrated with the mandatory overtime and wage structure, which basically creates Two types of employees.

Although traditional workers cannot directly benefit from the end of the two-tier system, they stand with their new “transitional” colleagues and see this struggle as a struggle for equality and future workers.

The contract allows transition workers to switch to legacy status within four years. Eafen said that there are about 274 workers in the Memphis factory, which means that all transition workers will be transferred to legacy status at the end of the five-year contract, and about 22 will immediately become legacy employees.

But although transitional employees now have access to legacy benefits, “as long as you have transitional employees in the building, this two-tier system still exists,” Effin said.

The October 5 strike occurred eight years after Memphis employees were held for nine months because of the breakdown of union negotiations. In July 2014, the judge ruled that the suspension was illegal and ordered the factory to open.

However, this time the strike took place in a tight labor market, where conditions were more favorable for union organizations.The union authorizes workers to John Deere And in Caesars Medical Institution There will be a strike this year.

“One thing the union has shown to the company is that we are willing to fight for our faith,” Effin said.