I love capitalism, but I hate corporate greed. On October 5, 1,400 Kellogg's workers went on strike when their contract expired. They wanted better health care benefits and higher pay, especially for the lower tier wage earners on their two-tier wage system. Today is December 17, and the strike has not yet been settled.
Why do I talk about greed in this dispute? Here are a few facts. During the past two years, workers at Kellogg's, and millions of other essential workers, kept us fed. They often worked 12-15 hour days, many workers worked 50-70 straight days without a break. They worked incredibly hard to help keep America fed during the pandemic. The CEO earned $12million last year (salary and compensation), other executives earned $300,000 or more. Profits for Kellogg last year were $1.4billion, yet here we are, not giving the worker bees their fair share.
To top off this bit of corporate greed, Kellogg is planning to ship several hundred jobs to Mexico, where the average hourly wage for workers is 97 cents. Additionally, Kellogg says it plans to replace striking workers with new hires, with many, including President Biden, saying it is an existential attack on unions and workers.
According to the news this morning, it appears a contract may be approved. Membership is ready to vote, and if it passes, workers will return to work after Christmas.
Next time you reach for that box of Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran, or Rice Krispies, think again. Do you want to support a corporation that earns $1.4 in a year and doesn't take care of its essential workers? I don't.
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