Strike at Simplot Grand Forks Potato Processing Plant

After a day-long union meeting, employees of J.R. Simplot went on strike, picketing outside the potato processing plant in Grand Forks at about 6 p.m. Monday.
The strike came shortly after an employee vote to reject the company’s contract offer, which included longer shifts and altered benefits, union officials said. The vote was 108 to 37.

The proposed 12-hour shifts — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and vice versa — would “make it extremely hard for our employees to function,” said Bill Wedebrand, business agent with Teamsters Local 120, which is the union including Simplot workers.

Other contract changes include higher deductible costs for health insurance and switching the pension retirement plan to 401(k), Wedebrand said.

The union is open to negotiation with Simplot officials at any time, Wedebrand said.

He added that he informed Simplot corporate officials of the strike shortly after the vote. Company officials were not at the meeting before the vote Monday.

In an emailed statement, David Cuoio, Simplot spokesperson, called the contract changes “necessary.”

“All of the changes are in line with competitive best practices,” Cuoio said.

He added that similar changes have been implemented at other Simplot locations with “positive outcomes such as reduced turnover and better work/life balance.”