AFL-CIO endorses boycott of American Crystal Sugar
October 2, 2012 at 6:51 am in Grand Forks Herald
The AFL-CIO has endorsed a nationwide consumer boycott of American Crystal Sugar products to protest its 14-month lockout of union workers. Continue Reading
Another good reason for me to purchase all my sugar from Crystal. …. and also look for products made including crystal sugar….. Maybe Crystal sugar could supply me with a list of their customers.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
183 
58
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
37 
109
lol I AM am AFL-CIO member.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
53 
12
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
12 
36
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
18 
41
It says I use my own mind and judgement. That I do not blindly follow Union leaders when they act like fools.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
8
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
26
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
20 
34
Who exactly is “us” and “them”?
Like or Dislike:
13 
16
“us” + “them” = “we”
Like or Dislike:
7 
16
No it means Glen has the courage to speak up and not blindly follow Union leaders when they are wrong. As for the other…. are you threatening me with thuggery??
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
30 
7
Fighting Glen…as in bickering…period. There is nothing about this subject worth getting into trouble over.
Like or Dislike:
9 
18
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
24
Oh boy, here we go again…
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
92 
19
Rosa Parks created the ONLY boycott that ever worked….period!
The union clowns are beyond belief.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
135 
40
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
13 
36
That didn’t work at all, it just opened the door for fruit and veggie imports from Mexico, Cental America, Brazil, Chile, Argentina etc
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
44 
7
Nafta had more to do with that…The boycott did work for the field workers…..What happened after that I don’t really know…I didn’t stay in CA more than a few months….Nice place to visit, but wouldn’t want to live there
Like or Dislike:
18 
8
Actually Tundra, the 70′s CA produce boycott was one of many actions that prompted NAFTA 20 yrs later.
Signed into to law by Clinton in 1994, the migrant workers by that time lost over 90% of their very limited gains obtained by Cesar Chavez and his produce boycotts.
CA growers sharply reduced payrolls when wholesalers went ‘import’, couldn’t afford the pickers. It continues to this day.
Like or Dislike:
16 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
4 
17
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
11 
28
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
88 
21
I just ordered 50 five pound bags of Crystal Sugar and am donating them to food banks!….Damn I’m mad!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
129 
42
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
18 
30
Tundra, God bless ya. You definitely need a woman in your life! Quit living off TV dinners (we want you around for awhile).
Sugar is an ‘ingredient’ for many food items, from cookies (think X-Mas)to Kool-Aid mix (couldn’t resist).
Bet you have some in your kitchen like 99.999987% of households.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
26 
7
Yes it is, but for those whos cupboards are bare they need something that will fill them up and provide nurishment. Like your example…Most items requiring sugar are sweets and although that’s nice it’s not very nurishing when you have childern to feed
Hot debate. What do you think?
14 
18
Even 5# bag of flour would be a better donation than sugar. I know that doesn’t go along with your trying to be cute about using CS, but when it comes to food banks I’m looking at logic over trying to make a point…
Hot debate. What do you think?
12 
21
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
11 
21
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
56 
122
Well golly gee!
There goes the market.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
63 
21
I went all the way back to the first comment on this subject back in July of 2011. Jeff H made the first comment. A bit of trivia.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
14
Careful what brand you buy Jeff, many are Crystal Sugar with a different name!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
33 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
3 
15
Jeff-
No one cares.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
105 
32
Jeffh, you hurt your own cause, the union cause, because you have ZERO credibility and respect, especially because most oppose your beliefs. Acknowledge that your union, not yours in particuar, has hurt those you pretend to advocate! Give us a break and stop your incendiary posts!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
65 
23
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
30 
44
He certainly has the right, but does his remarks help the locked out workers? I BELIEVE IT ONLY FUELS THEIR DILUSIONAL BELIEFS THAT THEY WILL WIN THIS BATTLE! Do you believe the locked out workers without ratifying a fair contract will be employed at ACS? Not likely in my oppinion these workers will sacrifice a very good job because of rabble rousers, like Jeffh, who do not have their job on the line. I know some ACS workers and I feel the pain their families are feeling, because of BAD ADVICE from dilusional union leaders and cheerleaders who have no skin economically in this game! They have lost and I encourage alittle sanity so they can go back to work! A boycot is such a lame exercise in this economy, as cost of food is and will be problematic with the inflation we are experiencing!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
57 
16
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
16 
40
Devilschild, your criticism is valid. What I printed did not require capital letters or exclamation points. My point is simply concern for the jobs lost by these workers and I am mildly outraged. A boycott? Most processed food has sugar, so in my oppinion this boycott will only give false hope to former workers at ACS, not hurt the company. Fortunately our postings are not read by many persons so we do not really have impact on public oppinion, but responsible posting should encourage contract ratification so workers can return to work without crossing the picket line of their union, which many are affraid to cross.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
37 
8
Got to agree. All Jeff said was he was going to honor the boycott. Sure, it might be a mostly symbolic gesture, but how is it different than posting your opinion on this board. Do you think that is having any impact on the outcome of this lockout? No more impact than Jeff’s participation in the boycott. However, if he wants to do that and if he wants to share that he is doing that, more power to him. No need for everyone to get so bent out of shape over it.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
34 
11
14 months to declare a boycott – in the GF and Fargo papers? That is one seriously concerned national leadership team.
Their boldness is breathtaking. First it was a slew of letters to the editor rehashing the same old ground, followed by 1 week of picketing in front of people’s houses, and now this.
Can you say Back to the Future? I keep waiting for the press release from Jimmy Hoffa and a Harald story about the ACS executive who woke up with a horse’s head in bed with him.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
93 
19
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
34 
126
What do you drive; 5 hours per mile?
I’m going to add this to my top ten list of most ridiculous posts ever.
You finally knocked
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
90 
20
Capt you are right. This is not a good idea.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
42 
1
What do you drive; 5 hours per mile?
I’m going to add this to my top ten list of most ridiculous posts ever.
You finally knocked
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
55 
16
Wow, all that education and you still can’t spell Herald.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
37 
22
Guilty as charged. It is an inside joke between Me & Gene. He is forever correcting my spelling & word usage so I have about three different ways I spell Herald.
Thanks for reading close enough to catch it
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
38 
10
No! This will undoubtedly change the entire dynamic of the lockout. (sarcasm) If I were a member of the union my question would be why did it take fourteen months for the AFL-CIO to endorse a boycott. My comment isn’t intended as support for either the union or ACSC. I am genuinely curious why it took so long for the AFL-CIO to “through its weight” behind the locked-out workers.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
89 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
33 
82
What part of American Crystal Sugar’s best offer, being their “best offer” don’t they understand? I have no intention to start buying anything but ACS products. Besides, what’s amusing is that folks participating in a boycott will probably buy the “private label” store brand, which was likely processed and sold by ACS anyway. Ha!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
94 
27
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
34 
64
I’m sure the both of you that boycott are going to bring Crystal to their knees.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
56 
18
Doing what I can, with what I have, where I am.
Hot debate. What do you think?
19 
15
I care less about the brand of sugar I use. Like most people I buy the cheapest brand (usually the store brand).
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
6
Crystal Sugar appreciates the purchase (ACS is the largest private label sugar packager in the U.S.) So “care less” all you want.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
9
I won’t buy a product that is unhealthy. I would rather eat an apple.
Hot debate. What do you think?
35 
39
So did Snow White.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
43 
8
Come on Gene. I’m sure you can think of another woman who DC might have given an apple too.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
27 
5
Let’s all boycott anything the ALF-CIO has their hands in.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
78 
24
You need to google Unions. Start with Union made beer, then US made cars.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
42 
17
The cars part should be easy enough.
Hard to justify 40 grand for a car thats worth about 15.
You can thank Unions for that.
I’ll buy a quality Honda at a reasonable price instead.
Thanks.
btw… My Honda is made in America, My Ford truck came from Canada.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
77 
17
I prefer to drive non-union made Toyotas. They tend to be of better quality and have higher resale value.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
37 
10
Minnesota schools are AFL-CIO as AFT locals.
Hot debate. What do you think?
29 
17
That’s why we get very poor results for what Minnesota taxpayers pay! Very good point spearman, I hope we tax payers take a lession, recognizing your favorite union, the teachers union, has destroyed education in America, 25th out of 32 industrialized nation in mathematics. Not my idea of getting our moneys worth in our failing education system!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
51 
10
Maybe if we spent on K-12 that those countries spend it would be different. We’re only 1st if you include post secondary spending.
Hot debate. What do you think?
13 
22
The sad fact is most Americans believe their schools are good schools, but virtually no schools are competive when compared to other industrialized nations. A recent poll of students revealed that most felt their schools are tops in the world. Parents probably also share this unrealistic belief. Reality is education needs reform!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
39 
5
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
32
Spearman, my daughter spent 1 year studying in Japan as an exchange student. You really not very knowledgable about their school schedule are you. It is hard to listen to inaccurate posts by you, but keeping with our areovoices terms of service, i can not comment on you personally! Education in this country is failing because your union or at least the one you listen, the teachers union does not want to get rid of lazy teachers who underperform in the class room. Union loyality is everything for many teachers, NOT educating children. Please do not expose the ignorant union philosophy by expousing its decadent propaganda and realize teachers are well paid for doing their 8 month job. They should do it better!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
8
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
33
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
24 
64
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
19 
39
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
4 
30
Spearman, I am a conservative Republican who opposes war. Most Americans oppose war especially those of us who have served as pawns to the political nuance of those who start wars. What is your point? Are all wars unnessary? If your answer is yes to my last question, it is hypocritical on your part to suggest General E., former President E. is against war. What is your point or is there no real point to your post?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
1
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
30
Spearman, I served in the US Army as a captain and believe you may have been calling me a baby killer, or at least your friends. I have experienced war and know our, my enemies are pawns of stupid persons. I hate President Johnson for my sacrifice, and friends, a war for his reelection. Perhaps General E complained about our military industrial complex when he left office, a valid point, but he recognized the need to get rid of tyrants. Do you know the sacrifice we make, to make the world a better place? I DO! I am a positive oppitmust and hope voters recognize our difference! Only my hope!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
33 
3
Let see, you have to own beet acres and get elected to the board. The Board of Directors hires the upper management. Affirmative Action doesn’t apply here.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
56 
3
Devil, I have read your comments and come to the conclusion that you are someone who is just unhappy with everything unless it is done your way. Women and minorities have just as much right and the same opportunity as these white males to actively engage in mgmt. To simply say something is wrong because the same amount of women and minorities are not on the mgmt team is ridiculous considering the make-up of the company. And the gender/race make-up of the shareholders is equally open to all groups who choose farming sugarbeets as thier career.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
52 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
13 
38
Devil, I think you may have missed the point. ACSC is a cooperative association made up of members/growers. It is essentially a closed group of people most of whom have been farming for generations. Since the Red River Valley was settled almost exclusively by Caucasians, the member growers are almost exclusively Caucasian. There are rarely new members, either Caucasian or minority; the participation is based on extensive capital requirements and access to farmland and not race. You asked the question why there were no minorities on the BOD and were given an answer. You apparently don’t like the answer or want to incorrectly believe that there is racial motivation behind the lack of minorities on the Board. You’ve previously indicated that you are not from the Red River Valley and it is my guess (yes, only a guess) that you are unfamiliar with the fact that the vast majority of farms in the Red River Valley have been operated by the same families for generations and that because of the substantial capital requirements people just don’t decide one day that the want to become farmers and start planting crops. Again, the lack of minorities on the Board has nothing to do with racial bias. Now, you can post your predictable rebuttal about how our society has favored white males and that everyone else has been invasively discriminated against for centuries.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
47 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
36
Joe, I believe women own an equal number of shares, if not outright but by joint ownership, perhaps more because of their increased longevity. Since day to day farming operations are done primarily by males, be more sensitive to the female owners. Those that understand agriculture know it is not at all a slight to women!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
0
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
14 
28
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
15 
45
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
10 
26
dc, I claim nothing. I am just stating a fact that regardless of race or gender you still have to get elected. Just because some wish or believe it should change doesn’t mean it must.
fn, ACS used to be a private company. The farmers bought it and made it a coop. This was a response to a changing business climate. ACS has been successful for years by adapting to changes in the business climate. This ability to adapt, to move ahead of the curve is what began the moves that lead to the lockout. The upward spiraling costs of healthcare, the appearance that the farm bill will go away, the need of business to shed the stall tactics unions sometimes use to keep the company from moving quickly, all these and more are conditions all companies must react to or prepare for. The countryside is littered with the shells of failed sugar refineries. Crystal’s responses show it is not so insular as you state. Do they lobby for a farm bill, yes. Do they lobby for restrictions to imports, certainly. These practices along with others have made ACS a success story in the valley. Farmers, workers, schools, and businesses all have enjoyed in the bounty of it’s success.
I have no doubt if the board feels it would be an advantage to have a more racially and gender diverse board and/or upper management staff they will make it so.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
44 
5
If I were in a hiring position I would hire the most qualified. It would make no difference what their race, age, gender is. If they were all black or white or men or women would have nothing to do with it.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
36 
0
Just read 32 posts about a dead topic. Only 1 was worth reading and that goes to robert but I wonder how slow he drives because those transsystem trucks max out at 55 to 60 mph. I have more trouble trying to pass the damn things and I can never recall one coming up behind me.
Hot debate. What do you think?
23 
20
If the trucks max out at 55-60, then why do you “have more trouble trying to pass the damn things”?
Hasn’t trial and error yet revealed which of the pedals close to your feet makes your vehicle go faster?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
28 
13
Scott’s post is hilarious; “Hasn’t trial and error . . .”. Ordinarily I’d view a comment like that slightly rude, but given the significant anumber of prior exchanges between Scott and Ron I will give myself permission to laugh. Seriously, I don’t care which side of the labor dispute you take (or no side at all), the post is funny.
Like or Dislike:
18 
5
I drive slow. Gives more time to brake for deer, skunks, etc.
Like or Dislike:
17 
8
Just how exactly does such a boycott work? If the AFL-CIO “endorses” a boycott of Crystal Sugar, does something magically happen that allows such a boycott to NOT negatively affect a union worker somewhere? What if I were a union driver that hauled the stuff, or a union forklift operator that shuttled pallets of it around, or….somethin’?
Would it be appropriate for me and mine to mobilize a union mutiny and boycott the boycott?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
53 
8
Yes, it would be appropriate. I don’t know how a boycott works, but here’s how I think this one works. ACS sugar sales go down. Cane sugar sales go up. The U.S. collects more tariffs on the Cane sugar and purchases any surplus produced by American Crystal Sugar as they’ve done for about the last 75 years and probably costing some of the jobs you mentioned.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
8
What sugar program? There is no farm program. Anything in the 1949 Farm Program that pertains to sugar?
Like or Dislike:
16 
6
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
20
I am referring to the 1949 Farm program. Since the current farm program expired (it was not extended or a new one enacted, it reverts back to the 1949 Farm Program.
Does anyone know if there are any provisions for a Sugar program in the 1949 Farm program? Was there any provisions for sugar tariffs, etc.
Like or Dislike:
4 
10
Any group doing boycotts against any item made in America is very short sighted. They should be working to boycott any Imported food item, not domestically produced. All things made in America are Made with American workers. If one buys imported food, items, they support the exportation of American Jobs.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
25
Well I guess that means I’ll just have to boycott all Union workers then.. Well no on second thought I’ll add a line item to my bills that state ‘Union Association Fee’ and charge all Union employees double.. Yep that sounds like a plan.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
42 
10
It’s your business. Do whatever you can live with.
Hot debate. What do you think?
12 
20
We really have strange issues up here… a university against its own nickname and logo, a hospital that buys out the competition to maintain its hold on the city, and this union saga. I’m tired of the media giving the union attention at this point; they need to be shut out by now.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
43 
14
Cheapshot devil? Get over yourself……so predictable
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
23 
8
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
19
Ha Ha I Love this, I could do this for ever….. Keep it comming Grand forks Herald
Like or Dislike:
16 
4
Robert: I’m not opposed to the sugar program, but to suggest that there hasn’t been import quotas and tariffs since the depression is mindless. Whether a consumer overpays for a product or is directly taxed, it’s a tax on the consumer. To say otherwise is not being honest. Many non-growers actually can read, too.
Like or Dislike:
18 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
11 
30
Please do tell how many US food manufacturing jobs are lost directly because of the sugar program. Wait, wait, what you are saying is that we should get sugar as cheap as we can from imports which would consist of third world countries using slave labor and everything the AFLCIO and unions stand against. But hey, if you could save jobs in the US, who cares right? Great idea
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
30 
10
As far as cheap imports with slave labor, that is what has been happening in this country with Free Trade Agreements.
The Free Trade Agreement with Canada (signed by Pres. Bush I), NAFTA with Mexico (signed into law by Pres. Clinton) and a host of other free trade agrements (favorable trade partner with China, etc.) has made this possible.
Farm groups have been cheerleaders for these groups. It supposedly opens up “world markets” for their exported commodities.
Fine, if the Farm Groups want Free Trade, then remember that IMPORTS are allowed, too.
The Free Trade agreements have helped to wipe out the Middle Class in the US.
Like or Dislike:
13 
16
Shhhhhhh! You’re not supposed to notice that. It all about greedy union workers and not about subsidies and trade rules that help the industries bottom line in the first place. Those are righteous don’t you know? Just the way the good lord intended them to be.
Like or Dislike:
10 
17
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
23
Devil, did I strike a nerve with you? I read your article and there is a lot of negativity toward the sugar program. But I also found this “Buzzanell argues that the overriding reasons
behind U.S. confectionery plant relocations from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada has been labor and related costs rather than lower sugar prices.” Along with “The lack of comparable data across all SCPs for
both sugar and labor costs makes it difficult to systematically examine the relative
importance of sugar and labor, thus preventing any broad SCP industry-wide conclusions.” I am very excited to see how you will disregard and condescend me this time.
Hot debate. What do you think?
22 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
6 
24
Well Devil, I try to represent a factual, reasonable look at the ACS situation. I know presenting facts and explanations must be annoying when trying to stir the pot. By the way, my source for the above quotes was the same exact report from the Dept. of Commerce that you referenced. Thanks for the safe harvest wishes and same goes to you, wherever you may be.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
23
One is brachs candy company, they moved from Chicago to Mexico. they could no longer afford the labor costs. In Mexico they pay a bit more for sugar, but the labor is much cheaper.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
21 
4
eldredton . Yes Brach candy moved to Mexico. But first its managment ran it into the ground and it was sold to a world wide company named, Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company in 2007.
Many a company would like to see cheap labor in this country. A two class society, the very rich and the very poor.
Their is nothing wrong with wanting to be part of the middle class.
Like or Dislike:
8 
13
OK, They could not afford to pay the outragious labor costs run onto them by the union at that time. The union is what ended up running them to Mexico. They have to be reasonable if they wish to keep their jobs.
Like or Dislike:
12 
4
eldredton I have found Google is a great tool when I want to find the facts.
The fact is Brach candy was run into the ground by managment which caused its financial downfall. I have found nothing on labor costs and the downfall of Brach candy.
Like or Dislike:
5 
8
“They don’t want the negative side of the sugar industry mentioned. ”
“The longer this lockout lasts the more negative press American Crystal and the sugar industry will receive.”
Sort of makes you wonder why there wasn’t more “spreading of the word” going on before the lock-out occurred….huh?
Perhaps you could share some blog links or union journal entries decrying the evils of the sugar industry that were made prior to the expiration of their last contract….
Hot debate. What do you think?
24 
11
I’m just curious, how many people who were going to the grocery store on Monday were actually planning on buying sugar? I know for us, it’s a once every 6-month product to purchase.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
2
Nationwide boycott? Hmmmmm. So the B and C of BCTGM which includes the workers of Nestle, Little Debbie’s, Brach’s, Sees, Kellogg’s, M&M Mars, Hershey’s, Wriggly’s, just to name a few, should be expecting a lay off this fall due to the expected drop off in sales due to the boycott? What is the number of card carrying members of the BCTGM or AFof L CIO that are working for Mars alone? Mr. Trumka is taking a dump in his own feed trough. Also it sounds like pretty crummy Halloween for the kids of anyone truly boycotting ACSC. Not to mention breakfast.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
45 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
30
If you look at most manufactured foods that use sugar (which is most of them) the overall percent of cost associated with sugar is very minimal.
The largest costs with any business are labor and transportation/ fuel. If a business makes up anything for moving out of the country there transportation costs eat their lunch.
There are many reasons for a company to relocate I doubt very much the cost of sugar is the motivating factor. Labor is usually the #1 concern.
Personally the last time I was in Mexico the package of sugar I opened did not end up in my coffee.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
27 
5
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
9 
22
Something to read http://www.peoplesworld.org/bitter-chocolate-hershey-s-candy-closes-a-plant/
Like or Dislike:
4 
11
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
18
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
6 
26
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
18
So devilschild, which is it? Is Riskey’s statement about the lock-out distracting the union from the important work of supporting the sugar program accurate, or…..is your statement about them working to repeal it accurate?
Or, (as is typical with union attitudes/positions/quotes), are BOTH accurate….depending on what day of the week it is and/or who might be listening?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
7
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
25
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
40
Spearman the topic isn’t boycotting teachers.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
30 
6
Devilschild, many Americans would love to boycott public education, but limited resources prevent them from giving their children a world class educatio. Sad, just as sad as locked out workers who can not see the good contract they were offered.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
33 
6
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
11 
27
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
29
Have you read all the posts here? There are a lot of worse things said that no one loses sleep over!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
26 
3
You mean the 4:05 a.m. post that I deleted hours ago?
Like or Dislike:
10 
17
Bob, my true comment is awaiting Kari moderation. I sent it to someone, so guess, perhaps my personal A? I agree with you with my heart!
Like or Dislike:
9 
15
I believe in uniformity of our “community nonstandards” and hope members let those in power know, legal action may be necessary for speEch contrary to their liberal belief AND kARI i AM CANCELLING MY ADVERTIZING WITH THE HERALD.
THIS SITE HAS FEW THAT POST! WHY?? CENSORSHIP PERHAPS! i WILL PAY FOR BELIEFS FOR THE FAILING NEWS, A JOKE IF I CALL IT NEWS, SO LET US UNITE FOR FREE SPEACH!
Hot debate. What do you think?
21 
10
Stay on topic, please. ACS, unions, AFL-CIO, sugar, boycotts, lockouts, etc.
Hot debate. What do you think?
21 
9
Thanks Kari.
Hot debate. What do you think?
11 
20
Spearman, regardless of the credibility of your assertion that Japanese elementary and high school teachers (or the equivalent) are treated like college professors, do you have anything that would link that statistic to why Japanese students perform better in math and science? It seems to me your observation provides support for the proposition that the US needs school reform because Japanese students are outperforming US students with less teacher contact; that doesn’t speak well for teachers in the US. More to the point, the US outspends Japan on a per pupil basis for results that are far inferior. I think that was johnb’s point, we are spending more and getting less in return. http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/japan-overview/japan-system-and-school-organization/ If you believe the answer is better teacher pay to attract better quality teachers, by implication you must be conceding that at least some of the current teachers are inadequate or not working up to their capabilities; either scenario is not flattering for current teachers. Great teachers should be paid greatly, good teachers should be paid well and no child should be forced to have a poor teacher simply because the teacher is protected under the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
3 
30
Okay Spearman, you lost me with this particular post. First you are claiming Japanese teachers have college professor like schedules, but in this post the Japanese professors spend at least half the day in individual conferences with students and “hand make” better students; implying they put in a lot of work. You state this is a difference between Japanese teachers and US teachers but you then assert that US teachers do the same thing late into the afternoon and night. Spearman, you are not even being consistent within a single posting. In my opinion the US educational system could be vastly improved with two very simple changes; pay great teachers a great salary and eliminate collective bargaining rights that allow the retention of poor teachers. No student should be forced to have a bad teacher simply because the teacher is protected by collective bargaining rights.
Like or Dislike:
16 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
31
It is interesting that people seem to be voting thumbs down because they don’t like the ideas & not because they think they are untrue.
Like or Dislike:
1 
8
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
29
Spearman, I clinked on the link. It appears to be a posting on Tripod, somekind of free webpage hosting. None of the statements in the narrative have any citation or references. The most recent “data” cited is from 1985. Simply because someone posted their thoughts on the internet doesn’t mean it is a reliable source.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
26 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
28
Spearan, the reference at the bottom isn’t tied to any part of the actual text and none of the statements in the text refer to the DOL as a source. It is a pretty weak source for your comments, if it can even be called a source.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
3
This old news. The source I cite is just one that came up now since my original source was yrs. ago but still accurate
Like or Dislike:
1 
8
speaman, you made this post previously, I responded! Why do you repeat your post?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
26 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
33
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
36
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
35
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
34
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
35
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
34
Spearman, aren’t you a teacher?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
23 
5
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
29
“70% of Japanese teachers are Marxists. Why do you think they’re union is so powerful that they have a college profs. schedule?”
Should be “their” not “ther’re”.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
21
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
22
Sorry Spearman I made a typo, but I understand grammer, and I’m not a teacher.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
20 
2
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
12 
26
It is a long list.
Like or Dislike:
18 
7
You made my point. Used to be Nestle, Hersey and Brock candy bought the majority of ACSC bulk sugar. Now they have to make up for that by selling to a “long” list.
I remember a plant manager saying. He talked krispy kreme about the volume of sugar they buy. He was told the local buys one train car of cain sugar a month. He reation was, “that was a waste of time, one train car a month is not a good sale”.
So I guess things have changed.
Like or Dislike:
8 
14
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
18
Really? Unless your diet is limited to apples and oranges, you’ve purchased gobs of sugar at the supermarket every time you shop. My goodness, how naive.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
27 
7
Learn to read, I said a BAG of sugar. And yes, I am on a basically sugar free diet for medical reasons. No soda or junk food. So I don’t care. Neither does anybody not affiliated with your busted up union.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
31 
7
I don’t understand.
Like or Dislike:
17 
6
After reading the posts her. I can see why the Union and ACSC cant come to an agreement.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
21 
3
“I don’t want to communicate with you. Anyone else fine….but not you.”
Oh well….I had some follow-up questions, but….
Like or Dislike:
19 
6
What ever happend to the BCTGM union? Aren’t they the ones affiliated with ACS?
I’m sure Riskey is still collecting his paycheck for doing nothing as usual.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
31 
7
Seriously…this headline should have maybe a half dozen responses at most… this is a desperate attempt by the union to do Something…anything, to have some movement in the situation. And the need for movement is driven by the fact that they want to stay relevent, again, speaking of the union. Otherwise, their constituents would get the sense that all was lost. Which it most certainly is. ACS will not budge, and I don’t blame them. Too many bridges burnt in this fight for ACS to go back with the old workers. I think folks should come away from this entire thing with a “eggs all in one basket” viewpoint. You put all your hope and future in a failed and ineffective operation, the union, and as a result, you’re on the outside looking in. I have to think that the individual workers, each fighting for their own wages on a case by case basis would have a better shot at moving up in the world, than via the current route. Especially since you’ve let a group with no skin in the game fight the battle for you. After all, the union is still in operation, and still getting paid. But the workers they represent are out in the cold.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
33 
7
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
11 
32
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
12 
26
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
10 
22
Ok t-beast and devil, I have a question for you. You say people on this thread have no clue how unions work. In all seriousness, I am looking for a good explanation of what this union is doing and how it has helped its members. One of the first posts on this thread are of a union member calling out his own union. I know unions are suppose to stick together, but like the old saying goes, just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right. I honestly would like to be educated as to why this union is doing the right thing.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
27 
5
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
10 
24
I simply asked you to educate me to see it from a different viewpoint. You either cannot do that or choose not too. Either way, I’d say you are the one that is stuck in your ways.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
6
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
10 
26
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
8 
23
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
21
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
17
ACSC does not want to break the union, it needs the union.
ACSC needs a union so it has a labor contract, without a contract, the workers could strike at any time, probably when the company would need them the most. All ACSC wants is to take back control of their company from the union. They want to be able to put the best, most qualified person in each position, not the person who’s been there the longest, like the union does. They also want to get control of their expense of sky rocketing health insurance. It is all common sense stuff, not union busting.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
40 
8
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
9 
34
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
12 
33
“Hell…..It’s always easy to point at others as being wrong when you’ve never been in their situation.”
Exactly what “situation” are you referring to? Please elaborate on how the rest of the working population ISN’T in a situation in which their REFUSAL to settle for something that’s less than what they’d like to receive ends up with their employer showing them the door.
“I read time and again what amounts to envy over workers making livable wages…”
I’m not envious at all, but I can’t speak for anyone else. If I WERE envious, I’d simply join a union…it’s not like it’s some exclusive club that has an incredibly high bar set for admission. My position exists solely because the numbers don’t work. For union members to be “in on the action”, someone else needs to be left out….or the numbers don’t work. The numbers CAN’T work.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
9
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
9 
27
Tundra, nepotism may work in a small company like Tundra Trucking, where there are only five employees and you’re the owner/boss and you and only you, make all the decisions. But in a company the size of ACSC, promotions are based on more than one persons decision.
If a person works hard and is productive you don’t need the protection of a union to stop them from firing you or losing your position.
You can spin it anyway you want, but the farmers own the company, not the union, and if this is the way they want to run their company, the union can do nothing about it.
This is the second campaign without the union workers and it seems to be working for ACSC, it appears the union workers weren’t as skilled and valuable as the union made them believe they were.
If the unions are all about sticking together and helping each other out, one for all and all for one, why aren’t the union leaders who are still getting paid and the Minnesota workers who got to draw a years worth of unemployment sharing it with the North Dakota workers who got nothing? Isn’t that what the union is all about?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
7
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
13 
40
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
4 
26