American Crystal still hiring replacement workers

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) -- With the lockout of union employees in its sixth month, officials at American Crystal Sugar Co. are advertising for local replacement workers.

And the Grand Forks Herald reports Monday that the union is also proposing some more concessions, hoping it will lead to more negotiations.

About 1,300 union members have been locked out since the union rejected the company's proposed new five-year contract July 31. Replacing workers has been expensive, partly because the company has to pay for transportation costs and room and board for the out-of-state workers.

While the company wants its union workers back, Brian Ingulsrud, vice president for administration, says hiring is going well.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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