Penford workers reject contract but avoid strike

CEDAR RAPIDS - Workers at the Penford Products plant voted Saturday not to accept the terms of a new contract offered by parent company Ingredion Inc. but will go back to work rather than immediately going on strike.

The union workers - represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union Local 100G - saw their existing contract expire at 7 a.m. Saturday. About 95 percent of union members voted not to accept Ingredion's final contract offer and authorized a strike if talks are not successful or if Ingredion continues to 'engage in the intimidation factors in the plant,” said Chris Eby, Local 100G president.

The union represents 158 workers in Cedar Rapids. The plant produces potato starches that Ingredion uses to make high-fructose corn syrup.

'Our intention is to keep our people working right now under the existing contract and to reach a fair contract that our members and this company can live with,” Eby said.

He said that as the contract expiration neared, Ingredion began preparing for a strike. He said the company brought in 'sleeping trailers” for temporary workers and increased security around the plant.

Claire Regan, an Ingredion spokeswoman, said the company did not want to comment on security issues.

Regan said Ingredion is ready to resume negotiations whenever the union is ready and available to talk.

The company hopes to reach a 'fair and equitable conclusion soon,” Regan said.

Ingredion bought the Penford plant in March. Eby said the union workers did not like a new company throwing out their contract with 'decades of history.”

Eby said that while the union hopes to continue working under the expired contract during negotiations, it ultimately is up to the company. He said union members haven't had a raise in four years, so they don't want to work under the old contract for too long.

Eby didn't have a specific timeline for further contract negotiations with Ingredion.

'Our intention is not to create a work stoppage, it's to have a fair contract. If we can reach that approach, it's better for us and the community,” Eby said.

l Comments: (319) 398-5872; maddy.arnold@thegazette.com