Kellogg has filed lawsuits against some of its striking workers in the United States for intimidation.
The Special K and corn flakes maker faced industrial action for nearly six weeks at four of its domestic grain factories after failing to reach an agreement on wages, health and pension benefits. Negotiations have been taking place between Kellogg and the works union since September 8th, which were shaped by new proposals for the company’s “framework employment contract” and rejections from employee representatives.
Kellogg has filed a lawsuit in Omaha, Nebraska, alleging the entrances to its downtown facility have been blocked and workers were intimidated by workers at the picket line.
A Kellogg spokesperson told Just Food, “We respect employees’ right to lawfully express their position on this matter. We have filed for an injunction to ensure the safety of everyone near the plant, including the picket lines themselves.
“The safety of people is our top priority. As Kellogg continues to do business at the plant, we are concerned about dangerous and illegal behavior such as blocking access to the plant, threatening to use violence against anyone entering the plant, and damaging property, to name a few. „
Some employees at sites in Nebraska, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee began their campaign on October 5, arguing that Kellogg had proposed „two levels” of employment, cutting benefits and moving production lines to Mexico.
Kellogg has defended its employment packages and challenged union demands over proposals to move jobs outside the US.
Last week it emerged that talks between the two sides had broken off without an agreement. The BCTGM union rejected Kellogg’s revised proposal – which the company described as „the last best final offer” and „addressed the union’s main concerns.”
The Fruit Loops manufacturer’s offer „expired” yesterday (November 11) and the company claimed the union had not allowed a vote on the proposals.
In a statement, Kellogg said: “No further negotiations are planned. We have a responsibility to our company, our customers and consumers to produce grain despite the strike. Operations will continue in all four plants with hourly and salaried employees as well as external companies that produce food. In addition, we are strengthening our global manufacturing network and our know-how and are currently hiring employees in our plants. ”
Asked to comment on the lawsuit and the expiry of Kellogg’s latest contract offer, the BCTGM issued a statement.
It read: “The company’s last, best, and final offer does not meet what our members ask for; a predictable path to permanent, performance-oriented employment for all employees without concessions.
“Kellogg’s continues to insist on takeaways. The company came to the table and insisted that an agreement will only be reached if the union adopts the company’s proposal exactly as it was written. The company’s proposal was filled with terms and conditions that were acceptable to Kellogg’s. These terms and conditions are not acceptable to our members.
“Therefore, the BCTGM negotiating committee rejected the proposal. The strike by 1,400 BCTGM Kellogg members in the company’s four US grain factories continues. ”
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