Veterans and union members gathered at the Fargo Labor Temple Friday to commemorate Veterans Day and to honor the service of the many veterans who now find themselves locked out by their employer, American Crystal Sugar.

“On this day we pause to thank our nation’s veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. Here in the Red River Valley, many of our veterans came home from foreign wars to work good jobs and build strong communities. We honor their service and their commitment to our way of life. Unfortunately, American Crystal Sugar has done everything but honor these service men and women,” said Tony St. Michel, president of the Northern Plains United Labor Council.

Mark Ayers, chairman of the Union Veterans Council of the AFL-CIO, issued a statement honoring veterans who work for Crystal Sugar and calling on the company to end the lockout.

According to Ayers, who is also president of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, “Dozens of ACS workers have served their country as members of the Armed Services. And while Americans honor their service, their employer has chosen to disrespect these workers by literally depriving them of a way to work and help feed their families.”

Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union were locked out by ACS on August 1 after voting overwhelmingly against the company’s last contract proposal. According to the union, dozens of members at Crystal Sugar are either active duty reservists or veterans.

“I joined the Army 10 days after my 18th birthday to serve my country and save for my future,” said Sherry Jacobs, a Crystal Sugar employee since 1987 who served as an MP for two years in Wurzburg, Germany. “Like the Army, my job at American Crystal was a dependable way to support my family and build a future; now that’s all in jeopardy.”

Several veterans attended the event, saying that they feel disrespected by an employer that has honored their service in the past.

Added Jacobs, “I’ve worked for ACS for more than 20 years. We’ve built strong communities around the sugar industry here in the Valley. Many veterans stayed here because of the good jobs that the industry provided. But now ACS management wants to gut those good jobs in order to line their pockets.”

BCTGM members will continue to build support in their communities throughout the Red River Valley and will be taking their message to the national labor movement. “We call on the company to end this lockout, return to the bargaining table and negotiate a contract that is fair to workers, the company, farmers, and the community,” the union said.