Union workers have voted to accept a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with the Kellogg Company after 11 weeks on strike.”I’m feeling a lot of relief, a lot of mixed emotions but relief and pride is one of the things I’m feeling the most today.” said Dan Osborn, President of BCTGM Local 50G.The 1,400 union represented employees plan to resume working on Dec. 27, with nearly 500 returning to the Omaha plant.“Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions,” Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union President Anthony Shelton said in a statement.The new agreement includes cost of living wage adjustments for all employees and the removal of the term “legacy employee.””This was never about a dollar amount for us legacy employees. It was about trying to get everybody more equal,” said Osborn.”I’m glad I get to go back to work,” said Lorianne Tartaglione.She has worked at Kellogg’s for 16 years in Omaha. Tartaglione, 60, had to pick up two part-time jobs while on strike but says the sacrifice will pay off for her co-workers and their future.”I’m one of the cereal coaters and I enjoy doing my job here but I guess we were out here for the newer employees coming into the plant,” said Tartaglione.Osborn said the five year agreement calls for about 15 newer employees to be moved to full time every year at the Omaha plant. It also includes raises and cost of living increases for all union workers, new employees will go from about $19.92 to $24.11 an hour.He said they were able to keep going because of the support they received in money and food donations from other unions and the public to the backing of President Joe Biden and Governor Pete Ricketts.”Where we drew our strength from was from the amount of support we’ve gotten, from the highest office in the land, all the way down to people driving by and honking on the picket line,” Osborn said.“The new, five-year contract furthers our employees’ leading wages and benefits, with immediate, across the board wage increases and enhanced benefits for all. It also provides an accelerated, defined path to legacy wages and benefits for transitional employees, among other items,” Kellogg spokesperson Kris Bahner said in a statement. “We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that brings our cereal employees back to work. We look forward to their return and continuing to produce our beloved cereal brands for our customers and consumers.”Other highlights from the contract include: A clear path to regular full-time employmentPlant closing moratorium: No plant shut downs through October 2026A significant increase in the pension multiplier Stay with KETV for more on this story.
Union workers have voted to accept a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with the Kellogg Company after 11 weeks on strike.
“I’m feeling a lot of relief, a lot of mixed emotions but relief and pride is one of the things I’m feeling the most today.” said Dan Osborn, President of BCTGM Local 50G.
The 1,400 union represented employees plan to resume working on Dec. 27, with nearly 500 returning to the Omaha plant.
“Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions,” Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union President Anthony Shelton said in a statement.
The new agreement includes cost of living wage adjustments for all employees and the removal of the term “legacy employee.”
“This was never about a dollar amount for us legacy employees. It was about trying to get everybody more equal,” said Osborn.
“I’m glad I get to go back to work,” said Lorianne Tartaglione.
She has worked at Kellogg’s for 16 years in Omaha. Tartaglione, 60, had to pick up two part-time jobs while on strike but says the sacrifice will pay off for her co-workers and their future.
“I’m one of the cereal coaters and I enjoy doing my job here but I guess we were out here for the newer employees coming into the plant,” said Tartaglione.
Osborn said the five year agreement calls for about 15 newer employees to be moved to full time every year at the Omaha plant. It also includes raises and cost of living increases for all union workers, new employees will go from about $19.92 to $24.11 an hour.
He said they were able to keep going because of the support they received in money and food donations from other unions and the public to the backing of President Joe Biden and Governor Pete Ricketts.
“Where we drew our strength from was from the amount of support we’ve gotten, from the highest office in the land, all the way down to people driving by and honking on the picket line,” Osborn said.
“The new, five-year contract furthers our employees’ leading wages and benefits, with immediate, across the board wage increases and enhanced benefits for all. It also provides an accelerated, defined path to legacy wages and benefits for transitional employees, among other items,” Kellogg spokesperson Kris Bahner said in a statement. “We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that brings our cereal employees back to work. We look forward to their return and continuing to produce our beloved cereal brands for our customers and consumers.”
Other highlights from the contract include:
- A clear path to regular full-time employment
- Plant closing moratorium: No plant shut downs through October 2026
- A significant increase in the pension multiplier
Stay with KETV for more on this story.