UFCW Local 86D- On August 22, 2008 Grain Processing Corporation of Muscatine (GPC), Ia. locked out 350 bargaining employees, 300 of which are in UFCW Local 86D.

On August 19, members of Local 86D unanimously voted down the company’s “last, best, and final” proposal due to proposed changes in the language, the lack of personal or sick days without prior approval, the change from vacation time to paid time off, a three year contract rather than a five year that was proposed, and other issues regarding seniority, wages for new employees, and benefits for retirees.  

GPC claims they want to attract new and skilled employees by paying them a lower pay rate with a 180-day probationary period. To offset that, the proposal offered a week PTO (vacation) and health care after 30 days. Yet the proposal delivered very little to people with seniority-- who make up the majority of the workforce.

The union requested a two week extension of the current contract on August 21. The company said they would consider it, and then at 7 pm on August 22, responded by escorting and locking out all 350 bargaining employees. The reply from GPC: no contract, no wages, and no benefits. 

On August 25, a federal mediator, the bargaining committee, and GPC officials met as a list of the members’ concerns regarding the language and economic proposals in the contract was presented. 

On August 29, representatives from Local 86D and UFCW International representative, George Orlando, met with the GPC to give them a proposal detailing the issues that need to be changed.  

As of September 7, we are waiting for them to reply. We just want a fair contract with equal wages for all employees.