In Iowa, Lockout Continues for Roquette America Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6733/in_iowa_lockout_continues_for_roquette_america_workers/

Wednesday Dec 8, 2010 11:15 am

By Akito Yoshikane

More than 240 union workers for Roquette America in southeastern Iowa have been locked out of their jobs since September after they rejected a concession-heavy contract that they say undermines their collective bargaining agreement.

The two sides are at a stalemate over wages and benefits at the company’s corn milling facility located in Keokuk, a small city of about 11,000 that borders Illinois and Missouri. The company has since hired replacement workers; some of the long-time union employees are now relying on unemployment benefits as negotiations continue to stall amid accusations of union busting.

Roquette America, a subsidiary of Roquette Frères in France, produces corn starches, syrups and starch derivatives. The employees are represented by Local 48G of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union of America, an AFL-CIO affiliate.

Negotiations for a new contract began in August and formal talks began in mid-September. The union says the conflict arose when Roquette hired outside parties and brought more than 130 proposals that essentially “gutted” the collective bargaining agreement.

The two major points of contention are changes to the health insurance and use of temporary workers. According to the labor group, Roquette wants more management rights, including the ability implement seniority-based layoffs. For the current employees, Roquette wants to freeze wages, change retirement benefits and increase worker contributions to healthcare. The company also wants authority to hire temporary workers without benefits. That suggests a proposal for a two-tier employee model, a trend that is growing across the country

Local 48 G rejected the proposals in late September, leading to the lockout as the company brought in more than 60 replacement workers. The two sides have met 18 times in recent months and a federal mediator has been involved in negotiations.


FULL story at link.