Cargill strike ENDS: Workers restart plant Thursday evening

Cargill strike news: The Cedar Rapids company and Teamsters Local 238 have ratified an agreement to end the monthlong strike.

The union sent out a statement on the afternoon of Halloween, Oct. 31, saying they’d reached agreement.

Membership voted to ratify it on Thursday morning, according to officials with the union. A vote tally was not available.

Teamsters said the agreement “reflects necessary compromise,” but also called it a “win-win” for both sides. A union official declined to say what was agreed upon.

“We look forward to restoring and continuing to build a cooperative relationship with Cargill as we all move forward together,” said Jesse Case, principal officer of Teamsters Local 238, in the statement.

Workers were headed back to the plant at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to a union official.

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PREVIOUS UPDATE:

Cargill Corn workers in Cedar Rapids told me they don’t want you to forget about their struggle against the world’s largest grain trader.

(Read our previous stories about what workers want, and how they felt disrespected.)

This week, Cargill cut off health insurance for its nearly 100 workers on strike.

“For Cargill to rip health care away from its workers in the middle of a strike is nothing short of cruel,” said Scott Punteney, business agent for Teamsters Local 238, which represents the workers.

“It’s a disgraceful tactic designed to force workers back into dangerous conditions for less than they deserve,” he added.

“My coworkers are hardworking people who have given years—some decades—of their lives to this company, and this is the thanks we get?” asked Joe Kirchhoff, chief union steward. “This isn’t just about pay anymore. It’s about basic human decency.”

The Teamsters are asking the company to reinstate workers’ health insurance and “return to the bargaining table with a fair deal that respects the contributions of these essential workers.” Negotiations have thus far been stalled, per the union.