MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union have rejected the tentative agreement with the Kellogg’s company, continuing their strike.
The Kellogg Company announced on Dec. 2 that they reached a tentative agreement with the union for a new labor contract after workers have been on strike for nearly two months. However, that agreement did not last long.
“We are disappointed that the tentative agreement for a master contract over our four U.S. cereal plants was not ratified by employees,” the Kellogg Company said on its website.
The strike and weeks of negotiations date back to October after a contract expired, causing workers to demand better pay and benefits. The strike involves 1,400 nationwide workers and almost 300 in Memphis.
Union Vice President Kevin Bradshaw said there was some pay increase, but not enough.
“If they can hire and replace us that’s a good try,” he said. “That’s just another ploy. We’re not worried about that. Nobody can do what we do.”
“The members have spoken. The strike continues. The International Union will continue to provide full support to our striking Kellogg’s members,” BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton said in a statement Tuesday.
Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus issued a statement of support for the workers Tuesday, saying in part:
“Tennessee’s labor movement continues to stand in steadfast solidarity with our BCTGM Local 252G family in Memphis and all of the union’s members who are affected by the Kellogg’s strike in Nebraska, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. These past two months have been a difficult time for these workers and their families, but we are incredibly inspired by the powerful energy that we saw firsthand on the picket line in Memphis. These hard-working employees deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness on the job. The Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council and its 60,000-plus members continue to be ready and willing to assist as needed for the duration of the strike. In the poignant words of our Memphis labor family: ‘One day longer, one day stronger.'”