It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Round Barn gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cedar Falls, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Black Hawk Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Montage or visit Cedar Falls Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Cedar Falls, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cedar Falls, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cedar Falls, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI volleyball overpowered its in-state rival on Monday night as the Panthers swept the Drake Bulldogs in straight sets inside the McLeod Center in a battle of the Missouri Valley Conference's (MVC) last two unbeaten teams in league play.Northern Iowa racked up an impressive 48 team kills and a .340 hitting percentage and a stifling 11 team blocks in a rematch of last season's MVC Tournament championship match, firmly securing sole possession of first place in the MVC standings. The Panthers also extended ...
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI volleyball overpowered its in-state rival on Monday night as the Panthers swept the Drake Bulldogs in straight sets inside the McLeod Center in a battle of the Missouri Valley Conference's (MVC) last two unbeaten teams in league play.
Northern Iowa racked up an impressive 48 team kills and a .340 hitting percentage and a stifling 11 team blocks in a rematch of last season's MVC Tournament championship match, firmly securing sole possession of first place in the MVC standings. The Panthers also extended their regular season conference winning streak to 25 matches dating back to last season.
HOW IT HAPPENED After splitting the first 12 points of the first set, the Panthers ripped off an impressive 12-1 run, which included eight straight points to quickly build a double-digit lead at 17-7. Northern Iowa notched 15 team kills on .406 hitting while holding the Bulldogs to .103 hitting in the opening frame, aided by service aces from Kira Fallert, Sydney Golden and Kaitlyn Sellner and a strong defensive effort at the net led by four blocks a piece by Sellner and Lily Dykstra. UNI would go on to win the first set by a score of 25-14 with Cassidy Hartman posting six terminations.
Northern Iowa carried its momentum into the second stanza with a 6-1 run to open the set. Hartman tallied seven kills in the second set as the Panthers racked up 17 terminations on .306 hitting, while the UNI defense held Drake to a .030 hitting clip. Despite the Bulldogs rallying and cutting the Panther lead to single digits, UNI's blocking defense continued to shine with four stops at the net by Sellner and three for Rewerts in her first match against her former team in a 25-19 set win to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Drake would test Northern Iowa early in the third frame before UNI's offense kicked into gear with a commanding finish to the night. Led by five kills from Fallert and a stellar eight dig set by Erin Powers in the backrow, the Panthers jumped out to an 18-9 advantage with a 9-0 scoring run as the Bulldogs struggled to establish its offense with a -.059 hitting percentage. With 16 team terminations on .316 hitting, UNI rolled to a 25-14 set win to take the match in straight sets.
Hartman led the Panthers with a match-high 16 kills on 30 attempts and a .500 hitting clip, as Fallert notched nine terminations and nine digs. Dykstra and Rewerts both tallied seven kills and five blocks each with three terminations from both Sellner and Olivia Tjernagel. Golden posted a match-high 19 assists with Reese Booth dishing out 15 assists, while Powers posted 15 digs.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
UP NEXT UNI returns to the road this weekend as it visits Illinois State on Friday night in Normal at CEFCU Arena at 6 p.m. CT, and Bradley on Saturday at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria at 5 p.m. CT. Live coverage of both matches can be found on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full 2024 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
College FootballPosted Saturday, October 5, 2024 7:33 pm The Brookings RegisterCEDAR FALLS, Iowa — South Dakota State came out of its bye week firing on all cylinders as the No. 1 ranked Jackrabbits dominated Northern Iowa 41-3 on Saturday afternoon.The Jackrabbits (4-1) forced four turnovers on the day and blocked a punt. SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers said it was nice to see his team play well in all three phases of the game.“We played our best football up to this point. Our offense, and spec...
College Football
Posted Saturday, October 5, 2024 7:33 pm
The Brookings Register
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — South Dakota State came out of its bye week firing on all cylinders as the No. 1 ranked Jackrabbits dominated Northern Iowa 41-3 on Saturday afternoon.
The Jackrabbits (4-1) forced four turnovers on the day and blocked a punt. SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers said it was nice to see his team play well in all three phases of the game.
“We played our best football up to this point. Our offense, and special teams. It all came together tonight. It came together with a flurry of turnovers in the first half, which was huge, and then we came out defensively and really put a nail in the coffin [in the second half], which was huge,” Rogers said.
SDSU went three-and-out on its first possession but the Jackrabbits got the ball back quickly. After UNI’s first two plays went for first downs, Jarod DePriest punched the ball out of Tye Edwards hands and Kobe Clayborne recovered it on SDSU’s 46 yard line.
Six plays later Mark Gronowski connected with Kentrell Prejean for a 16-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown of Prejean’s career and the Jacks led 7-0 with 8:43 left in the first quarter.
SDSU forced another turnover later in the quarter as Steven Arrell intercepted Aidan Dunne and the Jacks took over at the UNI 34. The Jackrabbit drive stalled in the red zone but Hunter Dustman knocked through a 22-yard field goal on the second play of the second quarter to make it 10-0.
Then SDSU took full control in the second quarter. The Jackrabbits blocked a punt with 9:33 left in the first half and Noah Thompson scooped it up and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-0.
“That was a great call by coach,” Rogers said. “We set up the block on one side and they called timeout and we flipped it. So they set the protection on the side we originally were and we were able to get free on the back side and Noah Thompson was able to have some savvy to not just jump on the ball and he housed it for us.”
Max Baloun then stripped Dunne on the Panthers next possession and DePriest hopped on it. Two plays later Chase Mason faked a hand off to Gronowski and ran it into the end zone from six yards out to make it 24-0 with 8:16 left in the half.
UNI got on the board with 1:25 left in the first half as Caden Palmer hit a 41-yard field goal. However, the Jackrabbits put more points on the board before the end of the half as Dustman made a 41-yard field goal of his own to make it 27-3 at halftime.
SDSU’s defense picked up right where it left off after halftime as Adam Bock picked off Dunne on the third play of the second half. He returned it inside the UNI 10 and then Gronowski found Graham Goering for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 34-3 with 12:39 left in the third.
Rogers said he and the coaches emphasized getting takeaways during the week and his team responded.
“We did a good job of attacking the ball in the air and finding the ball when it was tucked away and getting punch outs. We talked about it during the week and it came to fruition today,” Rogers said.
The Jacks kept their foot on the pedal as they forced a three-and-out and then Angel Johnson went 66 yards to the house on a screen pass to push the lead to 41-3 with just over 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.
“That’s a full team touchdown with guys blocking on the perimeter,” Rogers said. You give your best players the football and watch them go.”
Angel Johnson finished the day with two catches for 78 yards and had 31 yards on six carries. Amar Johnson had 40 yards on 10 carries and four catches for 28 yards. Kirby Vorhees had 45 yards on eight carries.
Gronowski was 15-of-21 with 155 yards and two touchdowns. Goering had three catches for 52 yards and Griffin Wilde had three catches for 39 yards.
SDSU outgained UNI 390-246. DePriest led the Jacks with six tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack. Colby Heurter had five tackles. Bock, Caleb Francl, Matthew Durrance and Bryce Hawthrone all had four tackles.
SDSU will head back to Brookings next weekend and host Youngstown State for the Hobo Day game. Kickoff between the Jackrabbits and Penguins is set for 2 p.m.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI swimming and diving team on Friday officially kicked off the 2024-25 season at home with a dual meet against Iowa, falling to the Hawkeyes by a score of 173-127 loss inside the Glen F. Henry Pool at the Wellness-Recreation Center.Northern Iowa started off the night off strong in the 200-yard medley relay with a second-place effort from the team of Elyse Brayton, ...
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI swimming and diving team on Friday officially kicked off the 2024-25 season at home with a dual meet against Iowa, falling to the Hawkeyes by a score of 173-127 loss inside the Glen F. Henry Pool at the Wellness-Recreation Center.
Northern Iowa started off the night off strong in the 200-yard medley relay with a second-place effort from the team of Elyse Brayton, Sydney Aird, Hannah Nedder and Faith Larsen with a time of 1:45.58. In the 1,000 yard freestyle, Paige Seehawer, Molly Johnson and Abigail Barkhurst finished in third, fourth and fifth places respectively with times of 10:57.47, 11:07.09 and 11:10.50.
Morgan Meyer placed second in the 200-yard freestyle for the purple and gold, while Brayton notched her the first top-three individual finish of her collegiate career with a third-place effort in the 100-yard backstroke (57.58). Aird came in second place for UNI in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:07.15, followed by Ema Lavigne in third (1:08.22) and Aspen Cole in fourth (1:10.94).
Nikki Walters topped the podium for the Panthers in the 200-yard butterfly with a winning time of 2:09.35, as freshman Sam Oeltjen came in fourth in her collegiate debut in 2:12.83. Larsen grabbed UNI's second victory of the night in the 50-yard freestyle as the two-time reigning Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) champion clocked a winning time of 24.38 seconds. Nedder followed Larsen in fourth place (24.69). Meyer also finished first for Northern Iowa in the 100-yard freestyle (52.07), with Lear coming in fourth with a time of 53.69.
In the 200-yard breaststroke, Aird recorded another second place finish in 2:27.05 with Jenna Breitbach taking third (2:29.37), Cole fourth (2:33.90) and Crystal Benjamin fifth (2:36.97). Domnick put on a strong showing for the Panthers in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:18.12 to take third place, followed by Oeltjen taking home fourth place (5:19.82) and Natalie Harris fifth (5:22.84). Nedder would lead the field with a first-place effort in the 100-yard butterfly, clocking a winning time of 57.72 seconds, with Walters close behind in fourth (59.35).
Lavigne led UNI in the 200-yard individual medley (2:12.71), while the 400-yard freestyle relay squad of Meyer, Larsen, Lear and Domnick came in first place with a winning time of 3:29.84.
In the diving well, junior Erica Peters took second place in the three-meter for the Panthers with a score of 253.05, with Avery Hogan taking fourth (239.78). In the one-meter competition, sophomore Trista Thompson came in third for Northern Iowa with a score of 260.63, followed by Peters in fifth (254.25).
UP NEXT The Panthers will head to Rochester, Minnesota, Nov. 1–2 for a Quad Dual against St. Cloud State, South Dakota, and South Dakota State at the Rochester Recreation Center.
UNI swimming and diving action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Swimming and Diving), X (@uniswimdive) and on Instagram (@uniswimdive). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Workers say that the company not respecting them is a major factor of why there’s an ongoing Cargill Cedar Rapids strike.The three-year contract between Cargill—specifically, the corn milling plant in the city—and around 100 workers unionized with Teamsters Local 238 expired at midnight Tuesday. Workers voted to strike hours later, on Tuesday evening, and have been on strike since. Read that story...
The three-year contract between Cargill—specifically, the corn milling plant in the city—and around 100 workers unionized with Teamsters Local 238 expired at midnight Tuesday. Workers voted to strike hours later, on Tuesday evening, and have been on strike since. Read that story here.
Normally, workers these days have wages or benefits in mind. But employees I spoke with on Wednesday told me there was a deeper issue at play.
Keith Zahrt, who has worked at Cargill for 15 years, said he understands that Cargill has to run the plant “24/7, 365 days a year.” He’s missed holidays with his family when he’s called in, and missed school plays his 8-year-old daughter has performed in.
But when workers asked Cargill to give them consideration for wages that hadn’t been keeping up with inflation, they said they got none.
“If you ask everybody out here, everybody will bring up the word ‘respect,'” Zahrt said. “All’s we’re asking for is a little consideration for the sacrifices that we make.”
Koby Sprous, who has worked at Cargill for two years, said sometimes workers are asked to do shifts of 12 hours or even 16 hours at a time.
“We’re the ones that bring them money,” Sprous said. “We produce everything. We load these trucks, these rail cars, that get sent around the country.”
Making matters worse is the fact that workers at other Cargill plants nearby make more than they do.
“Spending money at the other plants but not able to do it for us is just plain disrespectful,” he said. “Is money part of it? Of course. But it’s also just the respect factor.”
View this post on Instagram
The vote to strike was “overwhelming,” said Joe Kirchhoff, chief union steward at the plant.
He echoed the issues brought up by Zahrt and Sprous, and added workers felt they “took a hit” with their 2021 contract, agreeing to more concessions because of the pandemic.
“They thought they were trying to help the company out then,” Kirchhoff said. “Now, they don’t feel the company is returning that favor.”
Kirchhoff said they had been negotiating with the company for seven days out of the previous two weeks to try to come to a resolution on wages, with no success. A message seeking comment from Cargill was not immediately returned.
“There’s a lot of the membership that don’t feel that they were treated fairly” by management, he added. “So it’s kind of a culmination of everything.”
Workers all said the community can support them by driving by the plant’s two entrances, at 1710 16th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids, anytime; “We’re running it 24/7,” Kirchhoff said. Water, snacks, and supplies are welcome, but even just stopping to chat, walk the line, or honking in support all helps.
“At this point, they’re strong,” Kirchhoff said. “They’re determined to get something that they feel is fair. Obviously it’s early, but I don’t see this breaking down. Membership is very adamant: They want their fair share.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Cargill workers are on strike Tuesday after Teamsters Local 238 and Cargill failed to reach an agreement.The union, which represents 100 workers, has been negotiating with the company over wages and working conditions.“It’s just plain disrespectful. We’re at the point where we’re fed up with it, we’re not gonna agree for the bare minimum,” said Koby Sprous, a union worker at the strike.In a release on Tuesday, the union said it is demanding the company provi...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Cargill workers are on strike Tuesday after Teamsters Local 238 and Cargill failed to reach an agreement.
The union, which represents 100 workers, has been negotiating with the company over wages and working conditions.
“It’s just plain disrespectful. We’re at the point where we’re fed up with it, we’re not gonna agree for the bare minimum,” said Koby Sprous, a union worker at the strike.
In a release on Tuesday, the union said it is demanding the company provide the workers with competitive wages that keep pace with the cost of living.
“Our workers are simply asking for what they deserve: fair pay for the work they do,” said Teamsters Local 238 business agent Scott Punteney.
Punteney said wages for workers at Cargill’s corn milling plant are falling behind competitors and other Cargill plants in the city.
“Cargill’s had record profits over the last four years. There’s no reason these guys shouldn’t get a piece of the pie. They’re not asking for everything, they’re just asking for a little bit,” Punteney said.
A demonstration is planned at the Cargill Corn Milling Plant at 1710 16th Street SE at 5 p.m.
The union members said they’ll be picketing until further notice.
The contract between Teamsters Local 238 and Cargill expired at midnight Monday night, but negotiators did not reach a new agreement.
“Cargill has made it clear that they are unwilling to respect the workers who keep their operation running,” Punteney said.
Cargill released a statement following the union’s announcement to go on strike.
“We have proposed a fair and competitive package for our employees and are disappointed that we could not come to an agreement with the Union at this time,” said Cargill Media Relations director, Kelly Sheehan.
“We are willing and ready to meet with the Union at their request. In the interim, we continue the supply of high-quality products to our customers. We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached in the near future.”
Union members say an unwillingness by the Company to budge on higher wages sends a different message.
“It’s the respect for us. The way these people disrespect us and treat us like we’re nothing is dead wrong. So that’s why we’re all out here today. To prove a point that if you think we are disposable, we can show you how disposable we are and they can do the work on their own,” Sprous said.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
877-292-2126
