Locked-out American Crystal Sugar workers press for jobless benefits at N.D. Capitol

• Supporters of American Crystal Sugar Co. workers rally in the North Dakota Capitol

Supporters of American Crystal Sugar Co. workers, who have been locked out of the company's sugar beet processing plants since Aug. 1, rally in the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, to support legislation that would allow the locked-out workers to receive unemployment benefits. On Monday, a Senate committee declined to allow introduction of a bill that would have allowed the workers to apply for benefits. About 400 North Dakota workers are affected by the lockout, which resulted when the Moorhead, Minn.,-based sugar company and about 1,300 employees could not reach a new labor agreement. (AP Photo/Dale Wetzel)
• More than 100 people rally in the North Dakota Capitol's Memorial Hall in Bismarck

More than 100 people rally in the North Dakota Capitol's Memorial Hall in Bismarck, N.D., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, to support American Crystal Sugar Co. workers, who have been locked out of the company's sugar beet processing plants since Aug. 1. The crowd was supporting legislation that would allow the locked-out workers to receive unemployment benefits. The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Philip Murphy, D-Portland, is speaking to the crowd. On Monday, a Senate committee declined to allow introduction of Murphy's bill, which would have allowed the workers to apply for benefits. About 400 North Dakota workers are affected by the lockout, which resulted when the Moorhead, Minn.,-based sugar company and about 1,300 employees could not reach a new labor agreement. (AP Photo/Dale Wetzel)
• Barb Willison, left, Marvin Sondrol, center, and his daughter, Emma Sondrol, right, hold signs to support American Crystal Sugar Co. workers

Barb Willison, left, Marvin Sondrol, center, and his daughter, Emma Sondrol, right, hold signs to support American Crystal Sugar Co. workers, who have been locked out of the company's sugar beet processing plants since Aug. 1, during a rally in the North Dakota Capitol's Memorial Hall in Bismarck, N.D., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, to support legislation that would allow the locked-out workers to receive unemployment benefits. Willison works at American Crystal's Hillsboro, N.D., processing plant, and Marvin Sondrol said he retired from his job at the Hillsboro plant because of the lockout. On Monday, a Senate committee declined to allow introduction of a bill that would have allowed the workers to apply for benefits. About 400 North Dakota workers are affected by the lockout, which resulted when the Moorhead, Minn.,-based sugar company and about 1,300 employees could not reach a new labor agreement. (AP Photo/Dale Wetzel)

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• Locked out American Crystal workers plan rally at N.D. Capitol