Quaker, union, agree to 4-year contract

CEDAR RAPIDS — The union representing almost 700 workers at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids reports that its members have ratified a four-year contract that brings a 20 percent general wage increase.

The contract, ratified Nov. 1, also brings “significant improvement” to new hire vacation schedules and increased pay for new hires, according to an announcement on the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s website.

Members of the union’s Local 110 in Cedar Rapids also will receive a $1,500 ratification bonus, the union said.

“This contract will help us continue to bring quality people into the Quaker Oats plant, ensuring continued success in the future,” Local 110 President Shane Forbes said in the announcement.

The agreement also adds three paid sick days to bring the total to six per year and increases training pay and safety shoe allotments.

Also, the incentive bonus for achieving plant production goals was nearly doubled, and an inclement weather policy will be adopted “to ensure our members have protection traveling in dangerous weather conditions,” the union stated.

Neither the union nor Quaker management could be reached for comment.

The Quaker plant in Cedar Rapids, a division of PepsiCo, is the largest cereal plant in the world, employing around 1,000 workers. It is celebrating its 150th year in business in Cedar Rapids.