View source for 2021 Kellogg's strike

{{Short description|2021 labor strike by employees of the food manufacturer Kellogg's}}

{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
|partof=[[Striketober]]
|place=United States
* [[Battle Creek, Michigan]]
* [[Omaha, Nebraska]]
* [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]]
* [[Memphis, Tennessee]]|title=2021 Kellogg's strike
|side1=[[Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union]]
* Local 3G (Battle Creek)
* Local 374G (Lancaster)
* Local 252G (Memphis)
* Local 50G (Omaha)
|side2=[[Kellogg's|The Kellogg Company]]
|methods=* [[Picketing]]
* [[Strike action]]
|date=October 5 – December 21, 2021
|causes=Disagreements over terms of a new labor contract
|sidebox={{Campaignbox US manufacturing strikes}}
|image=File:Kellogg Strike Battle Creek 20211031 08.jpg
|caption=Workers picketing on October 31, 2021 in [[Battle Creek, Michigan]]
}}

The '''2021 Kellogg's strike''' was a [[labor strike]] started on October 5, 2021 and ended December 21, 2021 involving about 1,400 workers for food manufacturer [[Kellogg's]], unionized as members of the [[Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union]] (BCTGM). The strike was caused due to disagreements between the union and company concerning the terms of a new labor contract, with particular points of contention concerning the current two-tier wage system (with legacy workers making $35/hr and new hires $22/hr), health care, holidays, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and vacation time.{{ r | NYT_2021-12-07 }} The strike affected all of Kellogg's cereal-producing plants in the United States, consisting of plants in [[Battle Creek, Michigan]]; [[Omaha, Nebraska]]; [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]]; and [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. It is one of several strikes conducted by the BCTGM in 2021, including strike action against [[2021 Frito-Lay strike|Frito-Lay]] and [[2021 Nabisco strike|Nabisco]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Gregg|first=Aaron|date=October 6, 2021|title=Workers on strike at all of Kellogg's U.S. cereal plants|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/06/kelloggs-strike-cereal-plants/|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006125118/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/06/kelloggs-strike-cereal-plants/|archive-date=October 6, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Jamieson|first=Dave|date=October 7, 2021|title=Why Kellogg's Workers Are On Strike|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-kelloggs-workers-are-on-strike_n_615f062ce4b09f338971f098|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007162353/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-kelloggs-workers-are-on-strike_n_615f062ce4b09f338971f098|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[HuffPost]]|publisher=[[BuzzFeed]]|language=en}}</ref>

The strike is the first to affect Kellogg's Battle Creek plant since 1972, and the first at the Lancaster plant since 1985.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Buckley|first=Nick|date=October 5, 2021|title=Kellogg Co. union workers strike in Battle Creek after contract expires|url=https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/2021/10/05/kellogg-co-union-workers-battle-creek-strike-after-contact-expires/6001321001/|url-status=live|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[Battle Creek Enquirer]]|publisher=[[Gannett]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bunch|first=Will|date=October 7, 2021|title=A 'strike wave' is coming to save America's working class the old-fashioned way|url=https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/kellogg-strike-wave-2021-labor-unrest-20211007.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008025239/https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/kellogg-strike-wave-2021-labor-unrest-20211007.html|archive-date=October 8, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|language=en}}</ref> The strike ended after union workers voted to approve a new five-year labor contract.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blystone|first=TJ|date=December 21, 2021|title=Kellogg strike ends after 11-weeks, union workers accept new labor deal|url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/kellogg-strike-ends-after-11-weeks-union-workers-accept-new-labor-deal|url-status=live|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=WWMT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221161326/https://wwmt.com/news/local/kellogg-strike-ends-after-11-weeks-union-workers-accept-new-labor-deal |archive-date=December 21, 2021 }}</ref>

== Background ==
[[File:Cereal Bowl of America.jpg|alt=A color photograph of a manufacturing building with a sign that says "Kellogg's" in front|thumb|300x300px|Kellogg's Battle Creek plant, 2019]]
Kellogg's is an American food manufacturer that derives about a third of its profits from its line of [[breakfast cereals]], which includes brands such as [[Froot Loops]] and [[Frosted Flakes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ucommblog.com/section/corporate-greed/boycott-kelloggs-cereals|title = Boycott Kellogg's Cereals|date = October 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Paramasivam|first=Praveen|date=October 5, 2021|title=Kellogg's U.S. cereal plant workers go on strike|language=en|work=[[Reuters]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|editor-last=Ganguli|editor-first=Shinjini|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/kelloggs-us-cereal-plant-workers-go-strike-2021-10-05/|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006033539/https://www.reuters.com/business/kelloggs-us-cereal-plant-workers-go-strike-2021-10-05/|archive-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref> In the United States, the company operated four cereal-producing plants in Battle Creek, Michigan (also where the company is headquartered); Omaha, Nebraska; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Memphis, Tennessee.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Funk|first=Josh|date=October 5, 2021|others=With contributions from Dee-Ann Durbin|title=Workers at all of Kellogg's U.S. cereal plants go on strike|url=https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006125833/https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2021|website=[[AP News]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref> Going into October 2021, the company had been negotiating for over a year with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM),<ref name=":3" /> a [[labor union]] that represents about 1,400 workers at these plants.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Isidore|first1=Chris|last2=McLean|first2=Rob|date=October 6, 2021|others=With contributions from Danielle Wiener-Bronner|title=Kellogg's strike: 1,400 cereal factory workers hit picket lines|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/business/kellogg-cereal-plants-strike/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007001222/https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/business/kellogg-cereal-plants-strike/index.html|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[CNN Business]]|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The union and company had had a rough relationship over the past several years, with the company performing a [[Lockout (industry)|lockout]] at their Memphis plant in 2013 and 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Broders|first=Brad|date=October 5, 2021|title=Kellogg's workers in Memphis begin strike over new hire wages and benefits, other issues|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/hundreds-kelloggs-workers-memphis-begin-strike-over-new-hire-wages-benefits-other-issues/522-b4fc0c22-8e64-4783-a190-86e204740550|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006032337/https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/hundreds-kelloggs-workers-memphis-begin-strike-over-new-hire-wages-benefits-other-issues/522-b4fc0c22-8e64-4783-a190-86e204740550|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[WATN-TV]]|language=en-US}}</ref> firing about 187 workers at their Battle Creek plant in 2018, and in September 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Krafcik|first=Mike|date=September 3, 2021|title=Kellogg Company to cut 212 jobs in Battle Creek|url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/kellogg-co-cuts-jobs-in-battle-creek|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005233825/https://wwmt.com/news/local/kellogg-co-cuts-jobs-in-battle-creek|archive-date=October 5, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[WWMT]]}}</ref> announcing that they would be firing about another 200 employees from that plant, a majority of whom would be union employees.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Sainato|first=Michael|date=October 7, 2021|title='Death of 1,000 cuts': Kellogg's workers on why they're striking|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/07/kelloggs-workers-strike-offshore-jobs|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007100413/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/07/kelloggs-workers-strike-offshore-jobs|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref> One worker, describing the situation at the Lancaster plant, compared it to a "[[death of a thousand cuts]]".<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Murillo|first=Ana Lucia|date=October 11, 2021|title=Should You Boycott Kellogg Brands? Workers Strike Over Pensions, Health Care and More|url=https://money.com/kellogg-brands-strike-boycott/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011215728/https://money.com/kellogg-brands-strike-boycott/|archive-date=October 11, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=[[Money (magazine)|Money]]|language=en}}</ref> While the contract between the union and company had expired in 2020, an extension renewed the existing contract until October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schweizer|first=Errol|date=October 11, 2021|title=Why Are Kellogg's Workers On Strike?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/errolschweizer/2021/10/11/why-are-kelloggs-workers-on-strike/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012121523/https://www.forbes.com/sites/errolschweizer/2021/10/11/why-are-kelloggs-workers-on-strike/?sh=336e1bd95f34|archive-date=October 12, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=[[Forbes]]|language=en}}</ref>

On September 8 and 9, 2021, both sides submitted their proposals for a new contract and entered into discussions on them.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Waldman|first=Leigh|date=October 5, 2021|title=Kellogg's workers go on strike in Omaha, other cities|url=https://www.wowt.com/2021/10/05/kelloggs-workers-go-strike-omaha-other-cities/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007064148/https://www.wowt.com/2021/10/05/kelloggs-workers-go-strike-omaha-other-cities/|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[WOWT]]|language=en}}</ref> However, during the negotiations, the parties could not agree on several key issues, including policies regarding health care, holidays, retirement benefits, and vacation time.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Campos|first=Giulia|date=October 6, 2021|title=Cereal Killer? What Kellogg's Strike Will Mean For Your Breakfast Favorites|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/cereal-killer-what-kelloggs-strike-will-mean-your-breakfast-favorites-3310958|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006203923/https://www.ibtimes.com/cereal-killer-what-kelloggs-strike-will-mean-your-breakfast-favorites-3310958|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[International Business Times]]|publisher=[[IBT Media]]}}</ref> In particular, Kellogg's was seeking to expand a two-tier employee system composed of "legacy" and "transitional" employees. According to the company, legacy employees average $35 per hour, and newer "transitional" employees make $22 per hour.<ref name=NYT_2021-12-07 > {{ cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/business/kellogg-workers-strike.html | title=Kellogg Workers Prolong Strike by Rejecting Contract Proposal | last=Scheiber | first=Noam | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=2021-12-07 | access-date= | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | pages= | quote=..veteran workers, who Kellogg has said make about $35 an hour on average, would have received a 3 percent wage increase in the first year and cost-of-living adjustments in subsequent years. Newer hires make almost $22 per hour, according to the company. }} </ref> Under the system that had been in place in the prior five-year contract, transitional employees received less pay and reduced benefits compared to the legacy employees, but only 30% of all employees could be classified as transitional.<ref name=":4" /> Kellogg's, however, was seeking to remove this cap, which the union alleged would cause a majority of employees to become classified as transitional.<ref name=":4" /> The union was opposed to these changes and also stated that the company was threatening to move some production work to [[Mexico]] if these changes were not implemented.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Powers|first=Sara|date=October 6, 2021|title=Kellogg's Strike: More Than 1,000 Workers Protest Wages, Benefits In Battle Creek, Other Cities|url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/kelloggs-strike-more-than-1000-workers-protest-wages-benefits-in-battle-creek-other-cities/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007022204/https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/kelloggs-strike-more-than-1000-workers-protest-wages-benefits-in-battle-creek-other-cities/|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[WWJ-TV]]|language=en-US}}</ref> In response, Omaha, Nebraska BCTGM local president Daniel Osborn said: "A lot of Americans probably don’t have too much issue with the Nike or Under Armor hats being made elsewhere or even our vehicles, but when they start manufacturing our food down where they are out of the FDA control and OSHA control, I have a huge problem with that."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-06|title=Strike halts work at all Kellogg's cereal plants in US|url=https://www.wreg.com/news/national/strike-halts-work-at-all-kelloggs-cereal-plants-in-us/|access-date=2021-12-10|website=WREG.com|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the president of BCTGM [[Local union|Local]] 3G stated that the company was seeking to remove [[cost of living|cost-of-living]] adjustments and stop offering [[pensions]] to new employees.<ref name=":5" />

== Course of the strike ==
[[File:Mart Walsh Kelloggs 2021.jpg|thumb|left|U.S. Secretary of Labor [[Marty Walsh]] with workers on strike on October 27, 2021 at the [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]] plant]]
The strike began at 1:00 a.m. the next day,<ref name=":7" /> October 5, 2021, with [[picketing]] commencing outside Kellogg's facilities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=October 5, 2021|title=Workers at Kellogg cereal factories go on strike.|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/business/kellogg-strike.html|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006032947/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/business/kellogg-strike.html|archive-date=October 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Press|first=Alex N.|date=October 7, 2021|title=Workers at Kellogg's Cereal Plants Across the Country Are on Strike|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/10/kellogg-cereal-strike-bctgm-two-tier-labor|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008024625/https://www.jacobinmag.com/2021/10/kellogg-cereal-strike-bctgm-two-tier-labor|archive-date=October 8, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The strike affected all four of Kellogg's American production facilities,<ref name=":3" /> with all of them ceasing operations.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=October 6, 2021|title=Workers at Kellogg's US cereal plants go on nationwide strike|url=https://nypost.com/2021/10/06/kelloggs-cereal-plant-workers-go-on-strike-nationwide/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006122320/https://nypost.com/2021/10/06/kelloggs-cereal-plant-workers-go-on-strike-nationwide/|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[New York Post]]|publisher=[[News Corp]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The same day, the company stated that they were "implementing contingency plans" to reduce supply disruptions,<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8" /> with one union member stating that the company would try to bring in [[strikebreakers]].<ref name=":6" /> The company later clarified that they would be using "salaried employees and third-party resources" to cover for the strikers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Meyer|first=Zlati|date=October 7, 2021|title=Kellogg's worker strike continues as cereal giant aims to 'mitigate supply disruptions'|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90683835/kelloggs-worker-strike-continues-as-cereal-giant-aims-to-mitigate-supply-disruptions|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007143343/https://www.fastcompany.com/90683835/kelloggs-worker-strike-continues-as-cereal-giant-aims-to-mitigate-supply-disruptions|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[Fast Company]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shanker|first=Deena|date=October 6, 2021|title=Kellogg Plans to Use Salaried Staff to Reopen Plants Amid Strike|language=en|work=[[Bloomberg News]]|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/kellogg-prepares-to-restart-idled-u-s-plants-amid-worker-strike|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007215801/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/kellogg-prepares-to-restart-idled-u-s-plants-amid-worker-strike|archive-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> Additionally, ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported that whether the strike would significantly affect supply of Kellogg's products remained unclear.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Palmer|first=Ewan|date=October 6, 2021|title=List of Kellogg products as workers go on strike|url=https://www.newsweek.com/kellogg-products-workers-strike-cereal-plants-1636071|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006225240/https://www.newsweek.com/kellogg-products-workers-strike-cereal-plants-1636071|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[Newsweek]]|language=en}}</ref> Shortly after the start of the strike, Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke urged both sides to return to negotiations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Genetti|first=Dominic|date=October 6, 2021|title=Kellogg cereal workers go on strike in four states|url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/Kellogg-workers-strike-Battle-Creek-mayor-16514631.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007002715/https://www.chron.com/news/article/Kellogg-workers-strike-Battle-Creek-mayor-16514631.php|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Speaking to ''[[HuffPost]]'', a union spokesperson stated that while the union was not officially instituting a boycott, "supporters and consumers could certainly support the Kellogg workers and their fight for a fair contract by choosing NOT to buy Kellogg cereals while the strike is ongoing."<ref name=":4" /> According to the union, the strike was open-ended and would continue until a new contract was agreed to.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Souchek|first=Jalyn|date=October 5, 2021|title=Kellogg's employees in Memphis go on strike|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/kelloggs-employees-in-memphis-go-on-strike/522-2aa6d93f-3457-454c-90e1-98f77d8faab2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006210756/https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/kelloggs-employees-in-memphis-go-on-strike/522-2aa6d93f-3457-454c-90e1-98f77d8faab2|archive-date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[WATN-TV]]|language=en-US}}</ref> On October 11, third-party contractors began to arrive at Kellogg's plants to serve as replacements for the striking workers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shanker|first=Deena|date=October 11, 2021|title=Contractors arrive at Kellogg's plant amid strike|work=[[Crain's Detroit Business]]|publisher=[[Crain Communications]]|agency=[[Bloomberg News]]|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/contractors-arrive-kelloggs-plant-amid-strike|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012123245/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/contractors-arrive-kelloggs-plant-amid-strike|archive-date=October 12, 2021}}</ref> The next day, Kellogg's issued a [[press release]] in which they clarified the "myths" and "facts" of the contract proposal and working conditions at their plants.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2021|title=Kellogg Company Publicly Addresses Cereal Contract Negotiations and Strike|url=https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2021/10/12/kellogg-company-publicly-addresses-cereal-contract-negotiations-strike/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013115023/https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2021/10/12/kellogg-company-publicly-addresses-cereal-contract-negotiations-strike/|archive-date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=[[WBTV]]|language=en}}</ref> Following this, the president of Omaha's Local 50G stated that he was recommending strikers return to work for a 90-day period under the terms of the previous contract while a new contract could be ratified.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2021|title='We are continuing operations with other resources': Kellogg's addresses strike in new video|url=https://www.ketv.com/article/we-are-continuing-operations-with-other-resources-kelloggs-addresses-strike-in-new-video/37940229|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013115856/https://www.ketv.com/article/we-are-continuing-operations-with-other-resources-kelloggs-addresses-strike-in-new-video/37940229|archive-date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=[[KETV]]|language=en}}</ref> Despite this, a negotiator for Local 50G stated on October 13 that negotiations remained at an impasse.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Waldman|first=Leigh|date=October 13, 2021|title=Kellogg's strike gaining traction, support from Omaha labor unions|url=https://www.wowt.com/2021/10/13/omaha-labor-union-members-stand-solidarity-with-kelloggs-workers-strike/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014153101/https://www.wowt.com/2021/10/13/omaha-labor-union-members-stand-solidarity-with-kelloggs-workers-strike/|archive-date=October 14, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=[[WOWT]]|language=en}}</ref> That same day, a large rally was held near the factory that was attended by strike supporters and members of several other labor union groups, including members of the [[AFL–CIO]]'s Omaha Federation of Labor.<ref name=":9" /> The rally's speaker was the [[president emeritus]] of that federation, who had previously worked at the Kellogg's plant.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=Wade|first=Jessica|date=October 14, 2021|orig-year=October 13, 2021|title=Several Omaha labor unions stand in support of strike at Kellogg cereal plant|url=https://omaha.com/business/local/several-omaha-labor-unions-stand-in-support-of-strike-at-kellogg-cereal-plant/article_cdf9e5ea-2c52-11ec-9997-9bfa120e2303.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014153709/https://omaha.com/business/local/several-omaha-labor-unions-stand-in-support-of-strike-at-kellogg-cereal-plant/article_cdf9e5ea-2c52-11ec-9997-9bfa120e2303.html|archive-date=October 14, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]]|language=en}}</ref> Around this same time, a photograph of a striker picketing through a torrential rainstorm in Omaha on October 12 [[went viral]] online,<ref name=":10" /> with many sharing the image and commenting in support of the strike.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beresford|first=Jack|date=October 14, 2021|title=Photo of Kellogg's worker on strike braving torrential rain on picket line goes viral|url=https://www.newsweek.com/photo-kelloggs-worker-strike-braving-torrential-rain-picket-line-viral-reddit-twitter-1638855|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014151945/https://www.newsweek.com/photo-kelloggs-worker-strike-braving-torrential-rain-picket-line-viral-reddit-twitter-1638855|archive-date=October 14, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=[[Newsweek]]|language=en}}</ref>

On October 14, several members of the [[Nebraska Legislature]], including [[Carol Blood]], [[Megan Hunt (politician)|Megan Hunt]], [[Mike McDonnell]], and [[Tony Vargas]], issued a press release in support of the strikers and urging Kellogg's to bargain in good faith with the union.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorn|first=Nolan|date=October 14, 2021|title=State Senators show support of Kellogg's employees on strike|url=https://www.klkntv.com/state-senators-show-support-of-kelloggs-employees-on-strike/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014201950/https://www.klkntv.com/state-senators-show-support-of-kelloggs-employees-on-strike/|archive-date=October 14, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=[[KLKN]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The next day, ''Newsweek'' reported that Kellogg's had released an advertisement seeking replacement workers willing to "cross the picket line" and help with production while the strike was occurring, with the ad stating, "While these are temporary positions at this time, they could lead to permanent opportunities in the future."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Palmer|first=Ewan|date=October 15, 2021|title=Kellogg's Ad Calls for Strike Replacement Workers "to Cross the Picket Line"|url=https://www.newsweek.com/kellogg-job-ad-strike-picket-line-1639247|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015121939/https://www.newsweek.com/kellogg-job-ad-strike-picket-line-1639247|archive-date=October 15, 2021|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=[[Newsweek]]|language=en}}</ref>

'''Proposed agreement'''

On December 2, Kellogg's management and the BCTGM leadership announced a tentative agreement for a five-year contract, which would have raised wages by 3% for longtime workers and put in place standard wage rates for all employees ranked as "in transition", the proposition starting salaries at $22.76 for when workers are hired and receiving a $.90 raise per year, for the 6 first years. The agreement would also give all transitional employees a promotion to legacy if they had worked for the company for 4 years, and would have included enhanced dental and vision benefits for all workers. Transitional employees would also gain additional vacation time based on their tenure with the company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RTEC Negotiations|url=https://kelloggsnegotiations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tentative-Agreement-Overview-2021.12.01.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-10|website=RTEC Negotiations|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209142440/https://kelloggsnegotiations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tentative-Agreement-Overview-2021.12.01.pdf|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref> However, the contract would have also preserved the two-tiered wage system favored by company management, the removal of which was the primary objective of the union.

'''Announcement of replacement of workers'''

The union membership overwhelmingly rejected the tentative agreement in a December 5 vote.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bandur|first=Michelle|date=December 7, 2021|title=No Deal: Union says it has rejected latest offer from Kellogg's|url=https://www.ketv.com/article/no-deal-union-says-it-has-rejected-latest-offer-from-kelloggs/38450539#|url-status=live|access-date=December 8, 2021|work=[[KETV]]|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140319/https://www.ketv.com/article/no-deal-union-says-it-has-rejected-latest-offer-from-kelloggs/38450539|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref> Following the vote, on December 7, Kellogg's management announced they would seek to replace all 1,400 striking workers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2021|title=Kellogg to replace 1,400 strikers as deal is rejected|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/07/kellogg-strike-workers-pay|url-status=live|access-date=December 8, 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140528/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/07/kellogg-strike-workers-pay|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref>

'''Ending of strike'''

On December 21, about 1,400 Kellogg workers approved a collective bargaining agreement, ending the strike, which had lasted 77 days.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scheiber|first=Noam|date=2021-12-21|title=Kellogg workers ratify a revised contract after being on strike since October.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/21/business/economy/kellogg-union-strike-contract.html|access-date=2021-12-21|issn=0362-4331|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224123725/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/21/business/economy/kellogg-union-strike-contract.html|archivedate=24 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-21|title=Kellogg's Strike Ends: BCTGM Members Ratify New Contract|url=https://bctgm.org/2021/12/21/kelloggs-strike-ends-bctgm-members-ratify-new-contract/|access-date=2021-12-21|website=BCTGM {{!}} The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224124037/https://bctgm.org/2021/12/21/kelloggs-strike-ends-bctgm-members-ratify-new-contract/|archivedate=24 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="kelloggnews">{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.kelloggcompany.com/2021-12-16-Kellogg-Company-Reaches-New-Tentative-Agreement-with-Union|title=Kellogg Company Reaches New Tentative Agreement with Union|publisher=Kellogg|date=16 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221222216/https://newsroom.kelloggcompany.com/2021-12-16-Kellogg-Company-Reaches-New-Tentative-Agreement-with-Union|archivedate=24 December 2021}}</ref>

== Boycott and social media backlash ==
After various calls on social media, made after the announcement that workers would be fired, a boycott was initiated.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Langford|first=Marion|date=2021-12-12|title=Online call to boycott Kellogg's after firm replaces striking workers|work=news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/online-call-to-boycott-kelloggs-after-firm-replaces-striking-workers/news-story/90f9c4306d5bce63697368a2a1082b11|access-date=2021-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Glenn|first=Alex|date=2021-12-12|title=Kellogg's boycott called for after firm axes striking workers|url=https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/12/kelloggs-boycott-called-for-after-firm-axes-striking-workers/|access-date=2021-12-12|website=Euro Weekly News Spain|language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Reddit#Subreddits|subreddit]] [[r/antiwork]], devoted to discussions on worker exploitation by the rich and powerful, began a campaign in [[Raised fist|solidarity]] with striking workers to flood Kellogg's job application site when Kellogg's opened up applications to replace striking workers. Reddit users also created automated scripts and defeated attempts by Kellogg's to block automated applications.<ref name="vice">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7dvy9/spamming-kelloggs-job-applications-strike|title=People Are Spamming Kellogg's Job Applications in Solidarity with Striking Workers|publisher=[[Vice Media|Vice]]|date=9 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210222011/https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7dvy9/spamming-kelloggs-job-applications-strike|archivedate=12 December 2021|author=Samantha Cole}}</ref><ref name="reddit1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rebqaz/kellogs_adds_captcha_to_applications_my_version/|title=Kellogs: adds captcha to applications. My version of the bot that guy made: That sign can't stop me because I can read!|author=u/DaniTheCyberpunkGirl|date=11 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212134224/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rebqaz/kellogs_adds_captcha_to_applications_my_version/|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref> When this made recruiting replacement workers difficult, Kellogg's switched to hiring through [[Employment agency|staffing agencies]] instead of direct recruitment.<ref name="reddit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rcacru/apply_now_kellogg_is_hiring_scabs_online_lets/|title=Apply now! Kellogg is hiring scabs online. Let's drown their union busting. Mods please sticky!|date=9 December 2021|author=u/BloominFunions|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212133757/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rcacru/apply_now_kellogg_is_hiring_scabs_online_lets/|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="indep">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/reddit-antiwork-kelloggs-strike-union-b1973918.html|title=A union fight at Kellogg's has drawn in TikTok, Reddit, Tony the Tiger and Joe Biden|author=Alex Woodward|work=[[The Independent]]|date=11 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212134657/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/reddit-antiwork-kelloggs-strike-union-b1973918.html|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="dailydot">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/reddit-kellogg-union-hiring-campaign/|title=Kellogg flooded with fake applicants amid company's attempts to replace striking union workers|date=9 December 2021|publisher=[[The Daily Dot]]|author=Mikael Thalen|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212134934/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/reddit-kellogg-union-hiring-campaign/|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="reddit2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rdiffe/kellogs_is_now_attempting_to_use_outside_agencies/|publisher=Reddit|author=u/7rj38ej|title=Kellogs is now attempting to use outside agencies to hire.|date=10 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212154611/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rdiffe/kellogs_is_now_attempting_to_use_outside_agencies/|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="reddit3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rclj27/kelloggs_megathread_strike_info_boycott_and_more/|title=Kellogg's Megathread (strike info, boycott, and more)|publisher=Reddit|author=u/tobotic|date=9 December 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212154802/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/rclj27/kelloggs_megathread_strike_info_boycott_and_more/|archivedate=12 December 2021}}</ref> [[Joe Biden|President Joe Biden]] raised ethical concerns over Kellogg's behavior, stating "permanently replacing striking workers is an existential attack on the union and its members' jobs and livelihoods" and that he has "long opposed permanent striker replacements and...strongly [supports] legislation that would ban that practice".<ref name="indep"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Organized labour}}
* [[Strikes during the COVID-19 pandemic]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web|last=Buer|first=Mel|date=October 13, 2021|title=Kellogg's strike: Cereal plant workers fight to raise the floor for all employees as sales soar|url=http://therealnews.com/kelloggs-strike-cereal-plant-workers-fight-to-raise-the-floor-for-all-employees-as-sales-soar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014152836/https://therealnews.com/kelloggs-strike-cereal-plant-workers-fight-to-raise-the-floor-for-all-employees-as-sales-soar|archive-date=October 14, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=[[The Real News Network]]|language=en-US}}
* {{Cite news|last1=Durbin|first1=Dee-Ann|last2=Schulte|first2=Grant|date=October 6, 2021|title=Fed up by pandemic, US food workers launch rare strikes|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|publisher=[[The Seattle Times Company]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fed-up-by-pandemic-us-food-workers-launch-rare-strikes/|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007005633/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fed-up-by-pandemic-us-food-workers-launch-rare-strikes/|archive-date=October 7, 2021}}
* {{Cite web|last=Vanjani|first=Karishma|date=October 6, 2021|title=Kellogg Worker Strike Idles Cereal Factories|url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/kellogg-shares-flat-as-worker-strike-idles-cereal-factories-51633558466|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007001533/https://www.barrons.com/articles/kellogg-shares-flat-as-worker-strike-idles-cereal-factories-51633558466|archive-date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=[[Barron's (newspaper)|Barron's]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|language=en-US}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|2021 Kellogg's strike}}
* {{Official website|https://kelloggsnegotiations.com/|name=Kellogg's negotiations}}
* {{Official website|https://bctgm.org/2021/10/05/workers-at-kelloggs-cereal-production-plants-are-on-strike/|name=BCTGM strike page}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
{{Kellogg Company}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kellogg's strike, 2021}}
[[Category:2021 in Michigan]]
[[Category:2021 in Nebraska]]
[[Category:2021 in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:2021 in Tennessee]]
[[Category:2021 labor disputes and strikes]]
[[Category:Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union]]
[[Category:Battle Creek, Michigan]]
[[Category:History of Lancaster, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:History of Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:History of Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Kellogg's]]
[[Category:Labor disputes in Michigan]]
[[Category:Labor disputes in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Labor disputes in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Labor disputes in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Labour relations by company]]
[[Category:Manufacturing industry labor disputes in the United States]]
[[Category:October 2021 events in the United States]]
[[Category:Strikes during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]
[[Category:Protests in the United States]]