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C&H Sugar Strike Ends After 42 Days; Workers Return Under Extended Talks

Warehouse workers at C&H Sugar's Crockett, California refinery have returned to work following a 42-day strike. Both sides agreed to extend contract negotiations through September 30, 2026. The labor action, which marked the first walkout at the facility in nearly a century by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 6, prompted sympathy actions at three Bay Area ports. The dispute centers on retiree health benefits, overtime rules, and sick days at one of the nation's largest cane sugar refiners. Operations had halted processing of roughly 6 million pounds daily. C&H initially operated with replacement workers and rerouted shipments through other terminals, triggering a refusal by ILWU Local 10 longshore workers to cross picket lines. Federal mediators facilitated the agreement reached July 27. Workers resumed duties July 30 with a commitment to remain on the job through September 30, 2026.