Kellogg’s strike ends with Union members ratifying a new 5-year contract

The 11-week strike against Kellogg’s that began on Oct. 5 came to an end last week after unionized Kellogg’s workers voted to approve a new five-year contract.

Anthony Shelton, international president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ union, (BCTGM), said the contract makes gains for the 1,400 union workers and has no concessions.

The five-year agreement provides wage increases and cost-of-living adjustments in the first year, as well as expansion of health care and retirement benefits.

Workers were on strike at Kellogg’s cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich., Lancaster, Pa., Omaha, Neb. and Memphis, Tenn.

In commenting on the ratification, Shelton said, “Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AGREEMENT
Highlights of the five-year collective bargaining agreement:

• No takeaways. No concessions.
• No permanent two-tier system.
• A clear path to regular full-time employment.
• Plant closing moratorium: No plant shut-downs through October 2026.
• A significant increase in the pension multiplier.
• Maintenance of cost-of-living raises.

UNION MEMBERS STOOD STRONG
“Our entire Union commends and thanks Kellogg’s members,” Shelton said. “From picket line to picket line, Kellogg’s union members stood strong and undeterred in this fight, inspiring generations of workers across the globe, who were energized by their tremendous show of bravery as they stood up to fight and never once backed down.”

Shelton expressed gratitude to AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler for mobilizing the AFL-CIO and its affiliates in support of striking Kellogg’s workers. “Once again, President Shuler has provided highly effective leadership in support of the BCTGM and our members,” Shelton said.

“The BCTGM is grateful, as well, for the outpouring of fraternal support we received from across the Labor Movement for our striking members at Kellogg’s,” he said. “Solidarity was critical to this great workers’ victory.”