C&H Sugar’s Crockett facility is experiencing its first warehouse worker strike in decades, launched by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 6 in mid-June 2026. Approximately 90–100 unionized employees walked out over disputes involving healthcare, retiree medical benefits, sick leave (proposed cut from 10 to 5 days annually), and overtime rules requiring premium pay only after 40 weekly hours. American Sugar Refining offered a 20% wage increase, but the union rejected the proposal, insisting core benefits were non-negotiable. The historic plant — active since the 1930s Sugar Wars — handles 25,000 truckloads of sugar yearly and relies on Union Pacific rail service. The last comparable shutdown occurred in 2003.
A walkout by workers with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union over pay and benefits marked the first strike in decades against a major California sugar producer.
Strike at Crockett facility targets core benefits
The ILWU strike at C&H Sugar in Crockett led by Warehouse Local 6 reportedly is over healthcare, retiree benefits, sick leave, overtime rules, and union protections as part of a new three-year contract.
90–100 workers walk out amid Bay Area operations
The strike by unionized warehouse employees at the massive Bay Area complex began around mid-June, with about 90–100 workers involved. The historic plant, which famously figured in the “Sugar Wars” of the 1930s, receives rail service from Union Pacific and generates 25,000 truckloads of sugar .
Wage offer vs. benefit cuts: irreconcilable positions
American Sugar Refining, parent of C&H, says it offered a 20% wage increase while the union says the company’s concessions are unacceptable. The union has not disclosed its core demands.
Workers say the company proposed cutting five of 10 annual sick days, ending retiree medical benefits, and changing overtime rules so premium pay would start only after 40 hours in a week, reports. The union’s position is that wages were negotiable but core rights and benefits were not.
Historic labor action: first warehouse strike since 2003
It’s the first C&H Sugar strike by warehouse workers in decades. The last comparable shutdown at the site was in 2003, when workers walked out in solidarity with sugar employees rather than over their own contract. One account also says some striking workers complained about the use of replacement labor and that the company was trying to get employees to cross the picket line.
Subscribe to FreightWaves’ Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Read more:
- Oregon port OKs federal rail grant agreement for multimodal project
- Norfolk Southern CEO says railroad must focus on today and tomorrow
- Rail, ocean access backs new Americold cold chain facility at eastern Canada port
- CSX officially opens $495 Baltimore intermodal rail tunnel project
- BNSF wins local approval for new $4B California rail intermodal project
Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Supply Chain AI Symposium
July 15, 2026
The Old Post • Chicago, IL
Register Now
F3: Future of Freight Festival
October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Source: FreightWaves
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
