Union workers at Kellogg's in four states have been on strike since October 5, 2021.
They complain that Kellogg's wants to cut pay and benefits for new hires.
Sen. Bernie Sanders will rally with workers outside a factory in Battle Creek, Michigan.
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US Senator Bernie Sanders announced Tuesday that he's headed to Michigan later this week to attend a rally with striking workers outside a Kellogg's plant in the city of Battle Creek.
Around 1,400 Kellogg's workers in four states have been on strike since October when their last contract expired. They argue that the maker of Frosted Flakes and other breakfast cereals is seeking to undercut their union by creating a "two-tier" system of employment, with new hires offered less pay and fewer benefits.
Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union earlier this month voted to reject Kellogg's offer of a 3% raise. That prompted the company to claim it was left with no choice but to permanently replace striking workers with new hires — a plan that "deeply troubled" President Joe Biden, who urged Kellogg's to return to the negotiating table.
In a statement, Sanders' office said the senator, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, would be joining some of Kellogg's striking employees on Friday. The statement described Kellogg's as "the new poster child of corporate greed."
In November, the company reported an operating profit of more than $1.4 billion over the last year, an increase of 3.4%.
Kellogg's spokesperson Kris Bahner told Insider the company agrees that this needs to be solved at the bargaining table," saying its objective "has been – and continues to be – to reach a fair agreement for our people.
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abugguy on December 15th, 2021 at 02:37 UTC »
My brother, who is a Republican, was on strike a couple years ago for his job at GE.
Bernie Sanders who I think was on the campaign trail at the time detoured to stop by and give support for them.
My brother said “I can’t believe Bernie Sanders has our back and no other politicians have… too bad I could never vote for him.”
I asked him why you wouldn’t vote for someone who has your back and he just stared at me then laughed and walked away.
Wisex on December 15th, 2021 at 00:40 UTC »
Lets say I wanted to order pizza for these striking workers... where would I go about finding their local office/ the address of the kellogs factory they're picketing at?
RatBrainedManAnimal on December 14th, 2021 at 21:53 UTC »
As a Michigander, welcome to our state Bernie! But dear God wear a mask please.