A recession, when people need jobs badly, may seem like a time when management is able to make the maximum amount of demands on workers. This fact, couple with the fact the rights of workers have been rolled back over the last ten years, would not seem to be a good time for workers to stand up for themselves and for unions to show solidarity with them.
There are, however, signs of labor activism around the country.
For instance, along the North Dakota-Minnesota border, workers are continuing to take a stand for their rights and other unions are showing solidarity toward them.
The American-Crystal Sugar Company has locked the workers out and other unions are standing with them.
The Lockout and Subsequent Solidarity
Sugar is important to the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. The farmers grow sugar beets, which are then refined into sugar. While the union, which represents about 1.300 employees, and the company, agree on wage increases, they are still at odds over increases in health premiums and language concerning outsourcing.
The company locked out the employees and hired replacement workers.
Other unions are supporting the sugar workers during the lockout. Teamsters have agreed to not make truck deliveries during the lockout. But, other unions are putting their money where their mouths are.
Monetary Solidarity
Minnesota workers are receiving unemployment benefits, but the North Dakota workers are not. Since unemployment insurance is administered by each state, rules governing whether people receive unemployment differ from state to state.
But, even though they can’t receive the benefits, the North Dakota workers have the same financial needs as the Minnesota workers.
A North Dakota steel workers local has donated $15,000 to the locked out worker. John Riskey, the president of the union that represents the locked out workers, said of the gift,
“We want to thank the Steelworkers of Local 560 and all the union members from Minnesota and North Dakota who have helped us out since the lockout began.”
The AFL-CIO of Minnesota has also sent a petition that it sent to American Crystal supporting the workers.
Even in a time of economic uncertainty, it appears that when workers are united they will still back each other up. That support can take the form of sympathy actions and petitions. That support can also take the form of money when their fellow workers need it. It also appears, from these actions, workers are also willing to stand up for what they think is right, even in a recession.
Sources:
- Bobcat union donates $10,000 to locked out Crystal workers
- McMillan, A. (August 2, 2011). Teamsters join in American Crystal contract dispute. WDAZ.com
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
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