U.S. Senator Al Franken met for more than an hour Tuesday with about 100 workers who have been locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar Company since Aug. 2.

Several workers expressed their gratitude to the senator for his support.

“The fact that our Senator, Al Franken, traveled up to Grand Forks to meet with us again means a lot. We know he is watching what’s going on with this lockout and carrying our message back to Washington. What happens up here in the Red River Valley can impact the farm bill, the sugar program, and the whole sugar industry,” said Becki Jacobson of the Moorhead factory.

According to John Riskey, president of BCTGM Local 167G, the sugar program, the federal program that restricts imports to maintain a floor under sugar prices, is under threat from several quarters.

“We believe Crystal Sugar’s determination to break our union could drag down the whole sugar industry. There are at least four bills being considered in Congress that would end the program,” said Riskey. “Historically, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with the company to promote passage of the sugar program. This lockout is distracting us from that important work.”

Workers also said the lockout is hurting Crystal Sugar’s brand. They raised questions about the quantity and quality of the sugar being produced by inexperienced replacement workers.

“We believe the company’s decision to lock out 1,300 workers and hire replacements is bringing down the Crystal Sugar brand name that we’ve worked years to build up,” said Pete Olmstead, who worked 32 years at the Crookston factory. “We’ve heard reports that replacement workers have not been following standard procedures to ensure the quality and safety of Crystal Sugar.”

Workers told Franken they want to work and are prepared to resume negotiations with the company immediately.

“We want our jobs back. We didn’t deserve to be locked out just because we voted against an unfair contract. Many of us have given decades to this company,” said Jacobson. “Crystal Sugar must end this lockout now so we can negotiate a contract that’s fair for the workers, the company, and the growers.”

American Crystal Sugar has processing plants in East Grand Forks, Crookston, and Moorhead, Minn.; Hillsboro and Drayton, N.D.; and packaging and transportation sites in Chaska, Minn. and Mason City, Iowa. Workers at these facilities are represented by BCTGM Locals 167G (Grand Forks, N.D.), 265G (Chaska), 267G (Crookston), 269G (Mason City) and 372G (Hillsboro, N.D.).