Locked out American Crystal employees call on their children to help negotiate

Grand Forks, ND (WDAY TV) -- Locked out American Crystal Sugar workers have had little success getting through to company exec's. The company has made its offer, which it says is more than fair, and workers can come back whenever they choose to sign it.

But they continue to refuse, and now in desperation to negotiate a new contract, the workers called on their children.

Lacey Collison/Dad Locked Out: "It needs to be ended, it can't go on anymore."

Children of American Crystal Sugar locked out workers gathered today in East Grand Forks to write letters to CEO Dave Berg and his wife along with farmer board members and their wives describing the impact the lockout has had on them in hopes of making the company realize that it needs to end.

Lacey Collison: "I hope it makes everyone realize how much we've sacrificed for the company and how much it's hurt all the families and torn apart a lot of relationships."

Workers have been locked out for 13 months and many have been unable to find other jobs which means the money is running out.

Sophia Frank/Dad locked out: "I'm sorta worried that we're about to run out of food or lose our home because my dads out of work for so long."

Not only has the lockout affected everyday life for these kids but it has those in high school seriously concerned about their futures.

Sandra Fish/Father Locked Out:"I'm mainly worried about going to college even though that's a few years from now because I wanna be able to do the job I wanna do but now I can't really do much because we have to use the money to put food on the table."

State representative Eliot Glassheim doesn't know if these letters will have any impact but says the workers just have to keep trying and hope for the best.

Eliot Glassheim/State Representative: "The only hope is that some farmers who have relations with workers and who care about them to some extent will finally speak up and ask that it be settled."

The company continues to say its given its final offer.

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