LOCAL

BCTGM Union and American Crystal Sugar Company reach a four-year collective bargaining agreement

MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA (September 14, 2022) – The BCTGM Union employees of American Crystal Sugar Company voted yesterday to ratify a new four-year collective bargainingagreement. Representatives of the union and American Crystal reached a tentative agreementlast week, which was presented to the full membership for a vote on Tuesday. “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with our employees,” said Lisa Borgen, Vice President of Administration at American Crystal. “The new agreement increases wages by 17% over four years, enhances vacation and time-off, increases the pension payout, adds a new vision insurance plan, and brings other positive benefits to our employees.” Today’s agreement includes wage increases of 8%, 3%, 3%, and 3% over the term of the contract. It also calls for immediate accrual of vacation time, new policies for temporary employment, and a $1,000 retention bonus. “We are a key economic driver in the Red River Valley, and the agreement helps us secure prosperity for our employees and shareholders that live and work in several communities across the valley,” said Borgen.Pre-pile beet harvest is underway, and full beet harvest is set to begin on October 1, 2022. Factory operations are fully underway at Moorhead, Crookston, and East Grand Forks in Minnesota, and Hillsboro and Drayton in North Dakota. All locations are processing sugarbeets for the 2022-23 campaign. Borgen added, “Reaching an agreement with our employees to ensure steady operations for the next four years is very satisfying for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

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Polk County 4-H Youth Exhibit their Best at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair

St. Paul, MN – 4-H youth from across Minnesota again showcased their learning at the 2022 “Great Minnesota Get Together” at the Minnesota State Fair. Polk County 4-H Program had 9 youth participate in the livestock encampment held August 25-28 and then 11 youth participate in the general encampment held September 1-3rd.

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Regional grant application open until September 25, 2022

Child Care Aware Northwest annual Regional Grants are available September 1 through September 25, 2022. Programs that are eligible for this grant include any program that is actively providing early learning services to children ranging in age from birth to school-age and is currently licensed with the Minnesota Department of Human Services or Tribal Government OR legally license-exempt, which include certified centers.

Read MoreRegional grant application open until September 25, 2022