CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Striking workers are accusing Cargill of cutting their health insurance in retaliation for an ongoing strike at its Cedar Rapids plant.
The workers went on strike on October 1 after negotiations with the company over wages and working conditions broke down.
Teamsters Local 238, which represents about 100 employees, issued a statement Friday calling the move to cut workers’ health insurance insensitive.
“It’s nothing short of cruel for Cargill to strip its employees of health insurance during a strike,” said Scott Puntony, business agent for Teamsters Local 238. Despite being workers, they choose to punish themselves and their families by stripping them of health insurance. This is a shameful tactic designed to force workers back into dangerous conditions for a commensurately low price. Cargill’s greed is on full display. ”
The union is calling on Cargill to restore health benefits and come to the bargaining table.
TV9 has asked Cargill for confirmation whether health benefits have been reduced and for a statement on the matter, but has not received a response.
In early October, after workers went on strike, Cargill issued a statement saying it had proposed a fair and competitive package for its employees and was disappointed that the two sides could not reach an agreement. said. Cargill also said it remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached in the near future.
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