BCTGM: Congressional Black Caucus Calls on Kellogg to End Memphis Lockout

KENSINGTON, Md., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has joined the growing number of national and international organizations urging the Kellogg Company to end its nearly five-month old lockout of more than 220 workers at its Memphis, Tenn. cereal plant.

In a February 27 letter to Kellogg CEO John Bryant, CBC Chair Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio), writes:

"Many of the affected workers are second and third generation employees from predominately minority communities, averaging more than 20 years of service to Kellogg. Locking employees out, cutting off their health insurance, denying them payment of earned vacation, and subjecting them to months without income are not actions the CBC believes are reflective of the Kellogg Company's vision and purpose."

The CBC urged Kellogg to "immediately end the lockout that is inflicting pain on your workforce, their families and the entire Memphis community."

More than 220 workers have been locked out of their jobs at Kellogg's Memphis, Tenn. cereal plant since October 22, 2013. The workers, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 252G, who make Frosted Flakes®, Froot Loops® and other breakfast favorites were locked out as part of the drive by the company to replace steady, middle-class, full-time jobs with casual part-time employees who would make significantly lower wages and substandard benefits.

"We encourage you to work with the BCTGM Local 252G, AFL-CIO, to find a mutually agreeable solution that will keep your production facility functional and ensure your employees have the ability to provide for themselves and their families," concludes the CBC letter.

The BCTGM represents more than 4,000 Kellogg employees throughout North America. The BCTGM also represents thousands more workers in the cereal industry at such companies as General Mills, Quaker Oats, and Ralcorp amongst others.

To read the full text of the CBC letter, please visit the BCTGM International Union's website, www.bctgm.org.

SOURCE Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union