Tension grows as Ingredion, Penford union continue contract talks

The union representing 159 employees of Penford Products in Cedar Rapids is concerned about increased security at the plant and other actions in advance of the Aug. 1 expiration of its existing labor agreement.

Penford Products, which makes ethanol and specialty starches in southwest Cedar Rapids, was acquired in March by Ingredion of Westchester, Ill.

Matt Maas, vice president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 100G in Cedar Rapids, said the company brought trailers into the plant this week, possibly to house replacement workers in the event of a strike.

'We have had two days of meetings with the company and nothing has come out of those meetings,” Maas said. 'We have not discussed anything economic.

'Based on the company's proposal, we have come up with four or five pages of contract language concessions that would involve things like workplace rules.”

Maas said Ingredion's negotiator has informed the union that the company will not recognize the existing contract after it expires and intends to implement its proposed contract.

'A federal mediator will be in town next week to assist with the contract talks,” Maas said. 'We are just looking for a fair contract. We have 25- and 35-year employees who have put in their retirement paperwork and were not planning to retire.”

Maas said the union is concerned that the additional security guards and trailers are a distraction for employees.

'We want them to continue working safely,” he said. 'That's our primary concern right now.”

Contacted for comment about the additional security and trailers, Ingredion issued a statement.

'We have been negotiating a new contract with the union, and will continue to do so. We hope we can come to a fair and equitable conclusion.”

Salaried employees and a private firm that supplies temporary replacement workers and guards operated the Penford plant during a 78-day strike in the fall of 2004.