Message to our Spreckels Sugar members on the closing of the plant:
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the company’s decision to announce the closing of the Spreckels Sugar plant. While Spreckels has made clear its intent to shut down operations, your union is not standing still. We are actively exploring every possible avenue to protect these jobs and your future.
Since receiving the company’s notice, your union stewards and leadership team have been fully engaged in effects bargaining. We’ve worked hard to secure severance terms for both year round and seasonal employees. We have reached a tentative agreement on those terms and will be sharing the full details with you shortly.
Behind the scenes, we continue to push forward. We are in communication with local, state, and federal officials to seek support and explore every opportunity to retain these quality union jobs. The potential loss of this plant is not just a hit to our union family, it’s a serious blow to the entire Imperial Valley community.
Though this news is devastating, we remain committed to standing by you. We’ve worked hard to get you the strongest possible severance under the conditions and we’re doing everything in our power to save these essential jobs. The company made the decision to close and leave the Imperial Valley, but your union will continue to fight.
In solidarity,
UFCW Local 135
