Nearly 200 workers and their families face uncertainty as unions begin effects bargaining and push for transfers to other Mosaic facilities.

South Fort Meade, Fla. – Local unions representing Mosaic workers across central Florida are joining forces to protect nearly 200 jobs affected by the planned closure of the company’s South Fort Meade plant.

The International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC) and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals are working together to help affected employees move into available positions at other Mosaic facilities in the region. Mosaic plans to halt operations at South Fort Meade on Dec. 8.

ICWUC Local 814C, which represents workers at South Fort Meade, will begin effects bargaining with Mosaic on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The bargaining will address the consequences of the closure for represented employees.

“We are working together to make sure nearly 200 union siblings can continue working as we begin bargaining with Mosaic,” said Josh Goodwyn, president of ICWUC Local 814C, which represents the affected workers. “These workers know Mosaic, they are qualified to do this work, our sister unions will welcome them, and they should have a chance to stay with the company with first priority for all vacancies. With the plant set to close in the middle of the holidays, our members and their families face an uncertain future, but we are fighting together for them.”

Union leaders say keeping these experienced workers employed would also help protect the surrounding communities from the economic consequences of losing nearly 200 jobs.

“Losing nearly 200 union jobs will have a rippling effect throughout the local economy, with families having to cut back on spending at small businesses across the area,” said Robert Hagin, president of ICWUC Local 439C, which represents workers at Mosaic’s Riverview Plant. “Mosaic has been vocal about struggling with vacancies across their facilities, and the workers in South Fort Meade should be given the opportunity to fill those positions at the company’s nearby plants. Local 439C would welcome our brothers and sisters from South Fort Meade with open arms.”

Other ICWUC locals representing Mosaic employees have also pledged support for workers at South Fort Meade.

“ICWUC Local 1625 is proud to stand arm-in-arm with our union family across central Florida to protect the jobs of chemical workers,” said Ed Chambers, president of ICWUC Local 1625, which represents workers at Mosaic’s New Wales and South Pierce plants. “Being in a union means that someone has your back, and we have the back of our union siblings at ICWUC Local 814C in South Fort Meade. Moving workers to Mosaic’s other plants in the area would be a common-sense solution until the plant can resume full-scale operations.”

Background

• Under the collective bargaining agreement, ICWUC Local 814C members have callback rights if the South Fort Meade facility reopens. Other Mosaic facilities currently have vacancies that South Fort Meade employees could potentially fill in mechanical, electrical instrumentation, and operations departments.
• ICWUC and UFCW represent workers at six Mosaic facilities in central Florida. ICWUC/UFCW Local 814C represents South Fort Meade; ICWUC/UFCW Local 1625 represents New Wales and South Pierce; ICWUC/UFCW Local 39C represents Bartow; ICWUC/UFCW Local 35C represents Wingate and Four Corners; and ICWUC/UFCW Local 439C represents Riverview.