National Civil Rights Organization Calls on Kellogg to End Memphis Lockout

KENSINGTON, Md., Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM):

The fight to return locked out Kellogg's workers to their jobs in Memphis, Tenn. continues to escalate with increased support from national politicians, religious leaders and civil rights organizations.

In a January 23 letter to Kellogg CEO John Bryant, the Memphis Chapter President of the National Action Network (NAN), Gregory Grant, advised, "…if by February 22, 2014 significant progress is not made towards a resolution to end this lockout, Rev. Al Sharpton will be summoned to provide a National platform on this lockout and expose Kellogg's willingness to ignore the Master Agreement with BCTGM locals across the country."

National Action Network (NAN) is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the United States with more than 40 chapters throughout the nation. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.

Grant further wrote, "As a National Organization, we will not stand by and allow a $14 billion dollar Kellogg Company, an opening to destroy the families of 226 Kellogg's employees in Memphis, Tennessee.

"To that end, we along with other social justice groups strongly urge the City of Memphis (by resolution) to revisit and recall any and all tax incentives, rebates, pilots and provide no further corporate assistance until this lockout has ended and all affected 226 employees are restored and made whole," stated Grant.

More than 220 workers have been locked out of their jobs at Kellogg's Memphis, Tenn. cereal plant since October 22, 2013. The BCTGM Local 252G members 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.

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.

NAN has been largely credited with bringing into the national discussion issues such as racial profiling, the continued battle for police accountability, immigration rights, and education and labor reform. Since its founding, the National Action Network has led many efforts for justice taking on individuals as well as corporations to protect the rights of various victims.

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

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

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