List of Kellogg Products As Workers Go on Strike

Workers at Kellogg's U.S. cereal plants have gone on strike over pay dispute and loss of work benefits, but it is unclear if supplies will be affected by the walkout involving around 1,400 workers.

Workers from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) staged a walkout at plants that produce Kellogg's ready-to-eat cereals at Battle Creek, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Memphis, Tennessee.

The union said that the Kellogg Company has demanded that the employees who have been "working long, hard hours, day in and day out" throughout the COVID-19 pandemic give up their health care, retirement benefits, and holiday and vacation pay.

The company also allegedly threatened to send additional jobs to Mexico if the workers did not accept the proposals offered in a new contract. The existing one expired at midnight on Monday, reported Reuters.

"Kellogg is making these demands as they rake in record profits, without regard for the well-being of the hardworking men and women who make the products that have created the company's massive profits," BCTGM President Anthony Shelton said in a statement.

"We are proud of our Kellogg members for taking a strong stand against this company's greed and we will support them for as long as it takes to force Kellogg to negotiate a fair contract that rewards them for their hard work and dedication and protects the future of all Kellogg workers."

The company said it has implemented contingency plans to deal with supply disruptions, including internal and third-party resources, according to Reuters.

Among some of the cereals the workers at the plants produce are:

  • Corn Flakes,
  • Frosted Flakes
  • Froot Loops
  • Rice Krispies
  • Raisin Bran

In a statement to Newsweek, Kellogg said they are "disappointed" by the workers' decision to strike, insisting that the compensation and benefits given to their employees are among the industry's best.

"Our offer includes increases to pay and benefits for our employees, while helping us meet the challenges of the changing cereal business," said Kellogg spokesperson Kris Bahner.

"Most employees under this contract have unparalleled, no-cost comprehensive health insurance, while less senior employees have the same health insurance as our salaried employees, but with much lower employee contributions.

"Our proposals not only maintain these industry-leading level of pay and benefits, but offer significant increases in wages, benefits and retirement," Bahner added.

"We remain ready, willing and able to continue negotiations and hope we can reach an agreement soon."

Daniel Osborn, president of the local union in Omaha, told the Associated Press that he expects the company to soon bring in non-union workers in order to resume operations and prevent major disruptions to supply.

"The company has a pretty good idea on how long they are willing to hold out and we are going to stand fast as long as we have to," Osborn also told Reuters.

BCTGM had no further comment when contacted by Newsweek.

kellogg strike
Boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal are seen displayed inside a Wal-Mart store July 28, 2003 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Around 1,400 Kellogg Company workers went on strike at the company's U.S. cereal plants... Getty Images

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