Archer Daniels Midland Charged with Unfair Labor Practices

Teamsters Local 916 has filed Unfair Labor Practices against food processing giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

February 8, 2023

2 Min Read
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The Teamsters Local 916 and Archer Daniels Midland are currently in talks to restart negotiations and settle the strike.Image courtesy of Cytonn Photography/Unsplash (representative image)

The IL-based local Teamsters union filed the unfair labor charges during a strike at Archer Daniels Midlands (ADM) Decatur, IL facility.

Teamsters Local 916 members at ADM, one of the top 10 largest food companies in the world, went on strike at the company's Decatur location on February 2. The workers oversee the co-generation plant that provides energy for the facility.

“In a public statement, the company has said that they will ‘continue to bargain in good faith.’ We had to file these charges because the company hasn't even started to bargain in good faith,” said J.P. Fyans Local 916 president. “If they want to act in good faith, they can meet our members’ very reasonable request to get a raise of 12% over the course of three years.”

The ULP charges allege that the company has been bargaining in bad faith by failing to send a representative to negotiations who even has the authority to agree to anything the union proposes. It also alleges that the company promised individual workers benefits in exchange for not going on strike – an action that is arguably akin to a bribe.

"This isn't just about one group of workers, it's about setting a standard at ADM," said Kyle Bollinger, Local 916 business agent and ADM bargaining committee chairman. "Everyone at this company, whether they're a Teamster or not, needs to join in solidarity and demand a better life. That's the only way ADM workers – not just shareholders or the C-Suite – can benefit from the immense revenue that this company generates."

The union and the company are currently in talks to restart negotiations and settle the strike.

Teamsters Local 916 is made up of more than 4,000 men and women throughout the state of Illinois from Chicago to Carbondale, East Saint Louis to Champaign.

About the Author

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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