Crystal in contract deal with MT workers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- American Crystal Sugar has agreed to a contract with union workers at a subsidiary in Montana but remains at a standoff with union workers in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

Crystal spokesman Brian Ingulsrud tells the Grand Forks Herald the contract reached with union workers at Sidney Sugars is similar to the one offered to the workers at plants in the Red River Valley and in Iowa.

Union spokesman John Riskey says there are big contrasts in the Sidney contract and the one that valley union members rejected late last July.

About 1,300 union workers have been locked out since. Ingulsrud says there are no plans for more contract discussions.

Crystal says it took three days of negotiations to reach the three-year contract for the 241 Sidney union workers.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald