Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand ForksNLRB Rejects Sugar Complaint

The National Labor Relations Board Regional Director has rejected a complaint in the American Crystal Sugar union lockout.  Read NLRB Letter Here.

The union representing 1,300 American Crystal Sugar Co. employees had asked the NLRB to rule on their accusations that the American Crystal was not negotiating in good faith.

James Fox, Acting Regional Director for the NLRB, in a letter to lawyers for the the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, said the union had "failed to establish that the Employer violated the National Labor Relations Act.

Fox also noted that the proposed contract changes were clearly laid out and narrowly focused, despite union's "dissatisfaction with the Employer's answers to questions during bargaining.".

In response to the Region 18 National Labor Relations Board ruling on the ongoing American Crystal Sugar Lockout, BCTGM Local 167G President John Riskey issued the following statement: "While we strongly disagree with the regional NLRB's ruling, it does not come as a surprise. We stand by our complaints and will appeal this ruling to the Acting General Council of the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, DC immediately.

 Riskey continued, "That being said, we continue to urge American Crystal Sugar management to end this lockout and get back to the bargaining table so we can negotiate a contract that is fair to the company, farmers, workers, and the community. We want to work and are ready and willing to negotiate."

The union previously contended the company had been preparing for a lockout since last year.  Fox argued that the company did not bargain in bad-faith and it made significant changes to its economic offer once bargaining began.  He noted the union made "few (if any) concessions and no counteroffers.. prior to the Employer's proposals containing the concessions."

American Crystal is the largest beet sugar producer in the country. It is owned by about 3,000 farmer shareholders who grow beets on about half a million acres each year.