Locked-Out Crystal Workers Hold Prayer Vigil
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Locked-out American Crystal Sugar Co. workers held a vigil Wednesday night to pray for an end to the dispute that has dragged on for four months.
More than 100 workers gathered outside the sugar company's corporate offices in Moorhead, Minn., holding candles, singing and praying. Leaders of four area churches joined the workers.
The lockout of 1,300 workers began Aug. 1 when the company and the union could not agree on terms of a new contract. American Crystal has been using replacement workers at its sugar beet processing plants in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
American Crystal was holding its annual meeting Thursday. In the same hotel, union leaders planned talks about what they say are exorbitantly high compensation packages for company executives.
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