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About 1,440 workers at four US-based Kellogg grain factories went on strike on Tuesday, halting the company’s production, The Associated Press reported.
Daniel Osborn, union president at Kellogg’s factory in Omaha, Neb., Told the newswire that the workers’ union and the Kellogg company were in talks about a trading for over a year.
The union’s dispute involves an assortment of pay and benefits issues, including the loss of premium health care, paid time off and reduced vacation time, according to the AP.
Osborn also mentioned that the Battle Creek, Mich.-Based company threatened to move some jobs to Mexico.
“A lot of Americans probably don’t have too much of a problem with the Nike or Under Armor hats made elsewhere or even in our vehicles, but when they start making our food where it’s out of the control of the FDA and the OSHA, I have a huge problem with this, ”Osborn told the AP.
Osborn also said operations resumed again during the pandemic, with workers working 12-hour shifts seven days a week to maintain production as other workers were sick with COVID-19, the AP reported.
“The level we were working at is unbearable,” Osborn said.
Kellogg, for his part, said he was offering workers increased wages and benefits and added that on average his employees were making an annual salary of $ 120,000 in 2020.
Kellogg spokeswoman Kria Bahner said in a statement that the company was disappointed with the union strike, citing that the company offered compensation and benefits “which are among the best in the industry.”
Osborn has said he expects Kellogg to bring in non-union workers in an attempt to resume operations and maintain the supply of its products, the AP noted.
The Hill has reached out to Kellogg for comment.
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