MUSCATINE, Iowa – A red-eyed rat holding a “locked out” sign towered above the approximately 200 people Saturday morning who stood on the corner of Oregon Street and Schley Avenue, across from Grain Processing Corp’s main gate.

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 86D gathered to ask the company if members can return to work. The crowd included union members, their friends and family and other union members from the area who participated in the event. No one from GPC attended the gathering to meet with the union, which announced days earlier it would hold the event. Union leaders said their goal was to show the company the union’s membership is ready to return to work under a fair contract.

More than 360 employees, including 300 union members, were locked out of GPC on Aug. 22, 2008, after the union and company failed to agree on a five-year contract.

The crowd lined up at 9 a.m. and crossed the road to GPC’s gate; as far as security guards would let them go. Evan Yeats, a union spokesman, and Bill Poggemiller, union president, stood before them and spoke briefly.

“Laws in this country are written so companies like GPC can be irresponsible … all in the name of greed,” Yeats said.

The crowd chanted: “We wanna work” a few times before dispersing.

“We want to reiterate to the company that these folks are interested in returning to work,” Yeats said. “I know they said their offices are closed (today). Their plant is obviously running.”

Yeats added that he is disappointed in GPC for what the company is doing to the locked-out employees.

In a statement issued Sunday, GPC spokeswoman Janet Sichterman said the workers will be allowed to come back to work when a contract is signed.

“The company’s pending proposal continues to be one that provides for excellent pay and benefits and one that permits the company to operate in an efficient, cost-effective manner, something that is absolutely essential, especially in these difficult and competitive economic times.  When the UFCW 86D ratifies a contract, they can return to work,” Sichterman said.

Poggemiller expressed dismay with the company but maintained his willingness to negotiate a contract.

“They (GPC) always say there is nothing to negotiate over because they gave their last, best and final offer,” Poggemiller said. “Both sides could probably loosen up a little but they haven’t given one iota. The union has back peddled.”

Poggemiller added that the lockout has gone on too long and that the union is willing to give and take to reach an agreement.