American Crystal Sugar advertising for workers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — American Crystal Sugar Co. has begun advertising for sugar factory workers, four months into the company’s lockout of 1,300 union workers.

The lockout began Aug. 1 when the union and the sugar beet processor couldn’t agree on a new contract. American Crystal has been using temporary replacement workers at its plants in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

Crystal vice president Brian Ingulsrud tells the Grand Forks Herald that the new ads a recognition that the lockout is going to last longer than the company had hoped. Ingulsrud says if the contract dispute continues, the company’s goal will be “to hire 1,300 employees.”

Union member Lester Bergh says the ads add to the frustration of locked-out workers. He also wonders if the replacement workers aren’t working out.