BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Negotiations resumed between striking Kellogg’s workers and the Battle Creek based cereal maker Monday, but by Tuesday, the company was saying it plans to bring in permanent replacements after those talks broke down.
Workers at Kellogg’s plants nationwide have been on strike for a month and a half.
At issue is a two-tiered system for workers. A third of their workforce are temps. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union claimed there was no plan to move them to permanent status.
Kellogg’s officials tell Reuters News they proposed to move “transitional workers” with four years experience to permanent positions, but they claim Union Leadership rejected it Monday without taking it to the rank and file. The Union claims Kellogg’s rejected all their counter-offers and so they broke off talks.
Kellogg’s tells Reuters that leaves them with no options but to move to permanent replacements for some striking workers.
In the interim, Kellogg’s has already hired temporary workers and imported cereals made at plants in Mexico and overseas to keep the snap, crackle and pop flowing to U.S. customers.
(reporting from John McNeill)
