Crystal Sugar union plans counteroffer

A Bakery Workers union official is saying that locked-out American Crystal Sugar Co. workers will bring a counteroffer to the June 8 negotiations with the company.

Roger Delage, president of the local union in Crookston, Minn., tells the Grand Forks Herald that the counter offer will offer a new set of proposals.

Delage wouldn't provide details about any position changes, only saying that the company's "main issue is seniority."

About 1,300 union workers at Crystal sugar beet processing plants in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa have been locked out since Aug. 1 because of the contract dispute. The last time the two sides met was in February. Crystal is using replacement workers.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald