Talks Between American Crystal, Union To Resume

FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Negotiations between American Crystal Sugar and union leaders representing about 1,300 locked out workers are expected to resume Thursday.

KFGO is reporting that union representative Mark Froemke confirmed both sides have agreed to return to negotiations with a federal mediator.

Workers were locked out of facilities Aug. 1 in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa after the union's contract expired the night before and workers rejected the company's offer.

American Crystal Sugar is the largest beet sugar processor in the U.S. It had offered a 17 percent pay increase over five years during negotiations that began May 6, but workers were upset about provisions covering job security and health care costs.

There was no comment from American Crystal.

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