Ammended final offer on the table in American Crystal lockout talks

American Crystal and Union leaders are done negotiating. The final offer is on the table and it'll be up to the workers to vote on it, and it doesn't look promising. 86 days and counting; that's how long American Crystal Union Workers have been locked out, and after the latest two days of negotiations it seems very little middle ground was found.

Bob Jobgen – Locked Out Worker: “I think that's what was intended to start with from the company, they don't want to talk.”

There have been concessions by both sides. American Crystal has agreed to continue to pay all health insurance premiums for the next 14 months, and the subcontracting concerns - completely gone according to the company.

Brian Ingulsrud – Vice President, American Crystal Sugar: “We've made it crystal clear that that's not going to happen. No union employee is going to lose their job and no union positions will be eliminated.”

For the hundreds of unemployed who take shifts to picket outside of Moorhead's American Crystal Plant, it's just not enough.

Peter McDougall – Locked Out Worker: “I figured the company would have a little more changes than they did.”

In a statement, Union Leader's said they made substantial compromises on 20 different provisions. But, American Crystal says Union Leaders won't budge on issues concerning Random Drug Testing and promotion language. Something workers we talked with have no problems with.

Jerry Fugere – Locked Out Worker: “They can drug test me anytime they want to, and if I'm not qualified to have a job, they don't have to give it to me.”

But the two sides still seem to be at an impasse. A vote is scheduled for November 1st, but as of right now, there's little doubt how that will go.

Peter McDougall: “I'm going to go with a no vote until I here more.”

Jerry Fugere: “I voted yes the first time, but I'm voting no this time.”

Bob Jobgen: “I'm not going to sit out here for three months to go back to what was already rejected once for the same thing.”

If the Amended Contract is not accepted by 11 p.m. on November, 1st, American Crystal says the lockout will continue and the offer will revert back to the one made on July 28th. If you'd like to view the proposed contract go to WDAY.com and follow the Easy Link.

Tags: american crystal sugar, bill schammert, news, agriculture, business, moorhead, reporters, updates