Hagedorn Asking for Investigation into Legality of Company Threatening to Close Rochester Facilities

Thursday, Congressman Jim Hagedorn asked U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia to investigate the legality of a California-based company threatening to close its three Rochester facilities and layoff nearly 500 workers if they do not renegotiate their less than one year old contract.

Hagedorn says last December, employees of Crenlo Engineered Cabs in Rochester signed a labor agreement to last until 2024. Crenlo’s parent company is now threatening to impose changes as soon as November 1 if the workers do not renegotiate their contract to include reduced scheduled pay raises, adjustments to health and dental plans, and revisions to overtime and holiday pay calculations. The company has also refused to pay for accommodations for the union to hold a vote to renegotiate at an offsite facility that allows for proper COVID-19 precautions.

In addition to the letter below, Hagedorn says he personally discussed the matter with U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene during the secretary’s visit to Le Center today.