Cedar Rapids Cargill Workers End Strike as New Contract is Reached

After several weeks on strike, approximately a hundred Cedar Rapids teamsters are back at work.

After their contract expired on October 1st, union workers at the Teamsters Local 238 voted to go on strike against Cargill in Cedar Rapids.

According to reports, these teamsters were almost about to lose their health insurance coverage.

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Representatives from Cargill issued the following statement to KCRG-TV on October 25th.

“Although we have not reached an agreement with the union committee, we remain open and willing to engage in further negotiations. We believe Cargill has offered a fair and competitive package. In the interim, eligible employees have continued to receive their employee health insurance benefits and will do so through Oct 31, 2024. If they remain on strike after that date, then they will be eligible for benefits through COBRA. Cargill continues to safely supply high-quality products to our customers."

 

A Bit About Cargill

Cargill specializes in agricultural supply chain as well as food production.

According to the corporation's official website, Cargill is organized into five different enterprises such as agricultural supply chain, protein & salt, animal nutrition & health, food & Bioindustrial, financial services & metals.

A Strike Commenced in October

According to reports, the three-year contract between Cargill's corn milling plant in Cedar Rapids and the Teamsters Local 238 union expired on Tuesday, October 1st.

The union workers and management at Cargill could not reach an agreement at the point of contract negotiations.

In a report from KCRG, union members sought competitive wages and improved working conditions to address the rising cost of living and challenging work environment.

This kicked off a nearly one month strike.

An Agreement Has Been Reached

On Thursday, October 31st, Cargill and the Teamsters Local 238 were able to come to an agreement that satisfied both parties, according to reports.

While specifics regarding this new contract pact have not been released to the public, a representative from the teamsters said that it “reflects necessary compromise.”
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