Sugar Workers Praise Industry on the Hill

With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

Sugar workers who are members of the International Association of Machinists were recently on Capitol Hill talking about how strong U.S. sugar policy supports union jobs in America. They told members they’re proud of sugar made in America and done so by a union workforce.

“U.S. sugar policy provides so much opportunity for people in rural communities,” says Cornelius Fowler, a Florida Crystal truck driver with 16 years of experience on the job. “They have great benefits and great programs that allow individuals to want to further their career.”

The American Sugar Alliance says American sugar workers benefit from good jobs, upward mobility, and the investments that U.S. sugar companies make in workforce development. Many of America’s sugar processing facilities are in areas where jobs are limited, and the sugar workers praised the opportunities they’ve been provided by working in sugar. “In South Florida, we’re thriving,” one worker said.

With nearly 600,000 active and retired members, the International Association of Machinists is one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in North America. From Boeing and Lockheed Martin to United Airlines and Harley-Davidson, you will find members across all walks of life including sugar.