“The reason we’re here today is because Cargill refuses to respect their employees and to give them the right and just pay increases that they deserve,” said Scott Punteney, Teamsters business agent, during the Oct. 10 rally outside of the plant, at 1710 16th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids.
Punteney said a federal mediator was brought in Oct. 9, and the company initially agreed to sit back down to negotiate. But after the union’s side spoke, they said they waited hours for the company.
“We said, ‘What the hell’s going on?’ They had no offer, nothing. They’re telling the media how much they wanna talk to us. Well, come f**king talk to us,” Punteney said.
Workers’ current hourly wages were “a minimum of $2.30” behind other corn milling plants in Cedar Rapids, said chief union steward Joe Kirchhoff.
“Same industry, same city. Why are we so far behind?” Kirchhoff asked.
Cargill recently started penalizing employees for using sick days, which had been agreed upon in workers’ existing contract, Kirchhoff pointed out.
“They’ve gone from trusting us to disciplining us like schoolchildren,” he said.
Bob Rinderknecht, who has worked for Cargill for 22 years, said he remembered “a time when they treated us with respect.” No longer.
“We’re not people to this company any more,” he said. “We are just numbers. … Well, Cargill, we are here today to stand united, to say, ‘Enough’s enough. We’re not gonna take it anymore.’”
Vicky Lee, a 14-year Cargill worker, said she also remembered respectfulness at the plant. But since the pensions went away, workers have had to make up the difference with more hours. And when her husband went to the hospital with a blood clot, she said a plant manager told her she’d be penalized for missing work to go to his bedside.
“They have forgotten what it means to care for its workers,” she said. “They could care less about us, about our families, and we are going to be here until they do.”
Several speakers pointed out that Cargill is one of a few companies that controls the flow of corn; it’s also the world’s largest grain trader. And while agricultural revenues are declining industrywide—Cargill reported a 10% decrease in 2023—the company still made $160 billion last year.
That’s why Jesse Case with the Teamsters was optimistic about a resolution to the strike soon.
“Come back to the table with a serious offer,” he said, referencing Cargill. “We’re not that far apart … We can get it done tomorrow.”
Read more from the rally here.
Want to help? Workers say the biggest thing folks can do is come out to the strike line at 1710 16th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids. Strikers are picketing 24/7.
They’ll always take bottled water, snacks, and other supplies. But even a friendly wave, honk of support, and stopping to chat and walk the line for a few minutes helps morale, they say.
Watch Starting Line Correspondent Chase break down what workers are asking for here.
