Why We Aren't Allowed to Work
Members of UFCW Local 86D in Muscatine, Iowa have been unfairly thrown out of work by their employer Grain Processing Corp. (GPC) in Muscatine, Iowa. The company had been negotiating a new contract while members of the local continued to work at the plant. When their old contract expired August 22nd, that all changed. While the more than 300 members of 86D were willing to continue to work under the exact same terms, bosses at GPC locked the gates and put them on the streets.
The results have been devastating to the now unemployed workers and the tight-knit community of Muscatine.
“We want to work,” said Local 86D President William Poggemiller, “we wanted to work while settling our contract differences, but GPC locked us out – and now more than 300 families have been without a steady paycheck since August.”
Contract negotiations broke down because GPC wanted the ability to outsource UFCW members’ jobs - at any time, for any reason.
"It’s really about keeping good jobs here in Muscatine,” said Bob Weatherman, one of 86D’s vice presidents. “We need to stand up for job security – for our families and for Muscatine’s economy.”
Since the lockout began in August, GPC workers have not stood idle. They’ve been actively involved in giving back to Muscatine. They cleaned up a weather-damaged local park, and held two blood drives.
"Muscatine has given so much to us and our families,” said Poggemiller, “we want to give back.”
However, GPC’s leadership isn’t as concerned with keeping a strong local economy. In an interview with the Muscatine Journal, company spokesperson Janet Sichterman defended contract language that would allow GPC to outsource local jobs, saying that job security doesn’t come from language in a union contract.
Members of Local 86D continue to be willing to return to work until a contract is settled, however GPC officials have not allowed them to. Several local businesses have talked to both the Journal and the Quad City Times about the damage the lockout has caused to their bottom line.
It’s time for change. Tell GPC, it’s time to put Muscatine first. Sign our letter to GPC CEO Gage Kent, and let him know you stand with these locked out workers.
