Union Pushed for Arbitration After Two-Year Delay
The union said it made renewed arbitration demands in January 2024, after two years of unsuccessful discussions. The court found that arbitration is appropriate under multiple successive contracts, all of which have retained mandatory arbitration clauses.
Judge Jonker noted that the successor contract eliminated the transitional employee promotion path, replacing it with a system based on hire dates. Still, whether those previously eligible had their “merge window” closed remains a question for an arbitrator—not the court—to decide.
Kellanova, the company behind brands such as Pringles and Cheez-It, is currently in the process of being acquired by Mars Inc. in a $36 billion deal expected to close later this year.
Case Details and Legal Representation
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The union is represented by Erin L. Dornbos of Pinsky Smith PC.
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Kellanova is represented by Keith E. Eastland and Erica L. Quigley of Miller Johnson Snell & Cummiskey PLC.
The case is Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers Union Local 70 v. Kellanova, case number 1:24-cv-00489, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Both parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment as of Monday.
