Operation Christmas Solidarity lifts spirits of locked-out sugar workers

January 14, 2013 by
John O’Neil, president of United Steelworkers Local 264, sorts toys donated to Operation Christmas Solidarity.

John O’Neil, president of United Steelworkers Local 264, sorts toys donated to Operation Christmas Solidarity.

For the second consecutive Christmas, the families of workers locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar received a holiday boost from their extended union family.

Operation Christmas Solidarity, co-sponsored by the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation and American Income Life, drew $45,000 in donations from local unions and members, who gave toys, food, household goods and cash.

It was enough to fill two semi-trucks that delivered items Dec. 18 and 19 to locked-out workers in the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as facilities in Chaska and Mason City, Iowa.

Crystal Sugar locked out 1,300 workers 18 months ago. Union members have voted four times since then to reject the company’s offer.

Helping load the Laborers Local 563 semi truck with Operation Christmas Solidarity donations are, L to R, (front) Frank Loffler, Bobby Kasper, Ryan Connelly, Dave Saunders, Dan McGowen, Mike Connelly, John O’Neil, (back) Mitch Nohrenberg, Mark Borowicz, Chris Peltier, Laura Wilson and Erica Dalager.

Helping load the Laborers Local 563 semi truck with Operation Christmas Solidarity donations are, L to R, (front) Frank Loffler, Bobby Kasper, Ryan Connelly, Dave Saunders, Dan McGowen, Mike Connelly, John O’Neil, (back) Mitch Nohrenberg, Mark Borowicz, Chris Peltier, Laura Wilson and Erica Dalager.

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Operation Christmas Solidarity to support Crystal Sugar workers

November 29, 2012 by

Last year’s Operation Christmas Solidarity raised more than $25,000 in toys and household items for locked-out families.

The St. Paul Regional Labor Federation and American Income Life will sponsor a second Operation Christmas Solidarity this year, with proceeds of the gift, toy and household-goods drive benefiting families of workers who have been locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar.

Over 1,300 members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers union in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa have been affected by the lockout, which began more than 16 months ago. As the need in these families has grown, their resources have depleted, but last year’s holiday drive raised more than $25,000 for locked-out families.

Unwrapped items and monetary donations will be accepted through Dec. 17 at the following location, by mail or in person: St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, Attention: Laura Testor, 411 Main Street, Suite 202, St. Paul, MN 55102.

Make checks payable to: St. Paul Labor Studies & Resource Center (LSRC). Please note in memo line: Operation Christmas Solidarity. All donations are tax deductible.

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