Maintenance unions ratify early at Quaker Oats

Three unions that perform maintenance and repairs at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids have ratified a new contract more than a month before expiration of their old pact.

The new three-year contract that takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 12, covers about 160 trades people at the world's largest cereal plant.

“It's good for both parties,” said Joe Ironside, directing business representative for Machinists Local 831 of Cedar Rapids, which represents its own members and members of Carpenters Local 1039 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 263 in the negotiations.

Economic terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Ironside said they represent a significant improvement. The union does not release vote totals.

Company officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The contract for the largest union in the plant does not come up until November 2011. The Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union represents production workers in the plant, which makes cold and hot cereals, grits, syrups and other food products.

The plant, known locally as Quaker Oats, is part of Pepsico's Quaker Manufacturing LLC division.