This was written by Buddy Howard, President of the Lee County Labor Council and BCTGM 48G member from Keokuk. It is in regard to the lockout of American Crystal Sugar Workers.
I recently took a 1700 mile trip to be with my BCTGM brothers and sisters on the picket lines who are locked out by Crystal Sugar.
I was surprised in town to talk to some folks who said they weren’t sure who was to blame, the company or the
union.
Are you kidding me?
This is a company who made record profits.
These are workers who traveled for the company lobbying for the sugar program.
This is a company who is paying (and housing) scabs more money than most of your neighbors were making at the plants.
These are workers who faithfully bargained and turned down a union busting contract but offered to keep working while a fair settlement was reached.
This is a company who brought in professional scabs to your towns and who put fear into businesses and small farmers so they can’t do the right thing and support the workers who are having their lives torn apart by corporate greed.
These are workers who supported your businesses and are your neighbors. And some aren’t even getting
unemployment.
How about giving an hour or two on the picket line. Or a small donation.
Like the old song says, “Which side are you on?”
There should be no doubt.
You either support families who fight with all they’ve got for their jobs and their dignity. Or you support a millionaire who pays scabs to cross a picket line and steal someones elses job.
For those who have supported my brothers and sisters,
Thank you so much.
In Solidarity
Buddy Howard
President Lee County Labor Council
Member BCTGM 48G
Blog For Iowa 
You can tell from my website that I live in the general area of sugar beet production in NW Minnesota. I’ve been following this dispute since last summer. Your observation that some people say they don’t know who is to blame is accurate. Many say things like “nobody has job security anymore.” It does not appear to me that this cause can be won in the court of public opinion. It should be noted however that not everybody is sitting on the fence on this and many feel that the company is being unreasonable. Also it appears from news reports that efforts by ACS to recruit temporary workers near its plants have been largely unsuccessful as people are reasonably sure that this lockout will end and the union employees will come back to the plants. Somebody will blink, but it will take time.
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I agree with you that this lockout will not be won in the court of public opinion. But I also think it is somewhat like an election. The workers do have to keep answering the rhetoric being put out by the company. I’m glad that not everyone is sitting on the fence. It is important to keep the people involved informed and like the song say’s on the workers side. Some businesses I know and individuals are going to great risk to support the union. This is important to the cause.
I agree the lockout will end and the workers will be back, like you said if they stay strong and don’t blink.
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