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Crystal Sugar posts jobs during lockout

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- American Crystal Sugar in Minnesota said it was time to look beyond hiring contracted temporary workers, while a union lockout begun in August continues.

The company locked out 1,300 union workers on Aug. 1 after they turned down a second contract proposal, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday.

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Neither contract was close to ratification, the newspaper said.

American Crystal then turned to Strom Engineering, a company that provides laborers during strikes or lockouts.

At this point however, "It's really an issue of cost," said Crystal Sugar vice president Brian Ingulsrud, explaining why the firm has begun advertising to fill positions directly.

The company has received about 100 applications for jobs that will be temporary, as federal law prohibits firms from replacing locked out workers with permanent replacements.

"It doesn't appear the union is intent on getting an agreement anytime soon, so we felt we need to move into the next stage of our contingency plan," Ingulsrud said.

Mark Froemke, a spokesman for the locked out workers, said the company was, willing to sit down at the negotiating table only if the union agrees to the company's terms.

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" We need to sit down and actually negotiate," he said.

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