Over the paywall for you...
By Zachary Stieber December 11, 2021 Updated: December 11, 2021 biggersmaller Print
Kellogg plans to permanently replace some 1,400 workers who have been striking since October, the company announced this week.
Kellogg and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union failed to reach a new contract agreement, leading to the planned change.
“We have made every effort to reach a fair agreement, including making six offers to the union throughout negotiations, all which have included wage and benefits increases for every employee. It appears the union created unrealistic expectations for our employees,” Chris Hood, president of Kellogg North America, said in a recent statement.
“The prolonged work stoppage has left us no choice but to hire permanent replacement employees in positions vacated by striking workers. These are great jobs and posting for permanent positions helps us find qualified people to fill them. While certainly not the result we had hoped for, we must take the necessary steps to ensure business continuity. We have an obligation to our customers and consumers to continue to provide the cereals that they know and love,” he added.
The strike started because of disputes over pay, benefits, and the prospect of more jobs being moved to Mexico. Workers are striking at factories in four states: Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
The union said workers “overwhelmingly voted to reject the tentative agreement” and that the strike would continue. Epoch Times Photo Striking Kellogg’s workers stand outside the company’s cereal plant in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 2, 2021. (Josh Funk/AP Photo)
Just days earlier, Kellogg said a tentative deal was reached, but that workers would have to vote to approve it.
The plan to replace the striking workers permanently drew criticism from President Joe Biden, who called himself “deeply troubled” by it.
“Permanently replacing striking workers is an existential attack on the union and its members’ jobs and livelihoods. I strongly support legislation that would ban that practice,” he said on Friday.
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) also offered support for the workers, writing on Twitter, “If we seek to be a democratic society with broadly shared prosperity, workers must be free to organize and bargain—and, yes, strike—without fear of losing their jobs.”
Democrats and several Republicans want to pass a bill called the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would strengthen penalties for employers that violate workers’ rights and enhance workers’ ability to boycott and strike.
For example, the bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act and make it an unfair labor practice to permanently replace an employee who participates in a strike.
Zachary Stieber
MOM (Malt O Meal) "bag" cereal is as good if not better than the "name" brands, and cheaper per ounce. Available in every grocery store I visit, and frequently on sale.
However, with regard to firing the strikers...
Pretty sure FJB has more important things to be troubled about. Stay out of local/state issues and concentrate on being "resident".
I'm sorry about their jobs. However, President Reagan showed the PATCO (Air Traffic Controllers) that being fired is a consequence of going on strike. You can not hold a company hostage with unreasonable demands.
What's unreasonable? I guess you can debate that.
What's "reasonable" about slave labor in third world economies? Especially when you're paying (inflated) first world prices for the imported goods.
Bag cereal is like 80% of the way there. Would never consider them better unless we are discussing price difference. I mean the fake captain crunch still cuts up the top of your mouth so I guess it's got that going for it.
It's cheaper, better quality, and healthier through Aldi's brand- Millville, I think. If Aldi is commie, please don't ruin it for me! ;)
It doesn't have soy or artificial coloring like others.
It's not food.
Most of Kelloggs products are Genetically Engineered, read the fine print. I find store brand cereals are cheaper and taste much better. Who needs them anyway!
I would have to know more (details) about what they were 'demanding' and what was offered. I don't like unions in general, on principle, but I do concede that at times, they are important and useful. It's just the exception rather than the rule.
Fuck Kellog and their sugary GMO crap. That said, they have every right to fire every one of them with or without cause. Unions have a right to organize and to receive both the benefits and consequences of it. And Fuck Joe Biden.
Immediately boycott all Kellogg products!
Hahaha the Kellogg's trust has totally been infiltrated. I have boycotted their cereal for years now. So just my little boycott has cost them thousands in sales. I'm doing my part 4 going on 5 years.
Sooo, communism then?
You just suck that management cock big guy
As much as I dislike Kellog, the union shot themselves in the foot here.
Exactly. Going on strike always carries a risk that you'll be replaced. It's a gamble that your skills and knowledge are worth more than someone off the street. Those strikers over-estimated their worth to the company.
As always
I don’t eat cereal but did you notice how tiny the boxes are now? Who can afford to feed that stuff to their kids anymore? When I was a kid, we had to share a box and it lasted multiple servings. They have an entire aisle at the store but who can afford it? Whole carton of eggs is cheaper than a tiny box.
Kellog, go woke, you go broke. You have no loyalty to U.S. workers? F off. When are the union members going to realize the union only represents the union and big business? Unions are a worthless money drain from its members. Stop eating bread, cereal, pasta. It isn’t good for you. If you need to eat bread, make your own. It isn’t difficult and you know what is in it. You don’t get the air and the chemical taste.
I read Kellogg's family part of the 13families....
Modern cereal is bad for you.
Don't eat it.
Fuck Kellogg's I'll never buy that crap again
If they don’t show up to work, it means they quit.