Fed up by pandemic, US food workers launch rare strikes

Employees wanting better hours, benefits

OMAHA, Neb. – A summer of labor unrest at U.S. food manufacturers has stretched into fall, as pandemic-weary workers continue to strike for better pay.

Around 1,400 workers at Kellogg Co.’s U.S. cereal plants walked off the job this week, saying negotiations with the company over pay and benefits are at an impasse. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, a strike by 420 workers against Heaven Hill Distillery is in its fourth week.

The actions come on top of strikes earlier this summer by 600 workers at a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas, and

GRANT SCHULTE/AP Workers from a Kellogg’s cereal plant in Omaha, Neb., are among those on strike after a breakdown in contract talks with company management.