Local 125 Members at Ghirardelli Ratify “Tremendous” New Contract

After more than six months of contract negotiations, it was the strength of union solidarity by Local 125 (San Leandro, Calif.) members at Ghirardelli Chocolate in San Leandro, Calif. and the tenacity of the negotiating committee that led to a outstanding new four-year agreement.

When negotiations stalled in November 2022, BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods spent a week with Western Region International Vice President Shad Clark and Local 125 Officers. The group spent several days visiting members inside the plant to further detail the needs of the members going into the next set of negotiations.

The highest priority to members at Ghirardelli was to beat back the company’s attempts to change the existing health benefits plan. Additionally, members wanted a fair and equitable increase in wages. Workers created stickers calling for “folding money” and not “chump change” and wore them on hard hats and work uniforms throughout the contentious talks.

“It was the direct communication with the members on the shop floor and their incredible show of solidarity that helped get this contract settled,” recalls Woods.

The Ghirardelli negotiating committee included Joann Velasquez (1st shift steward), Robert Diaz (2nd shift steward), Gabriela Lemus and Vicente Salucop.

On January 10, a new agreement was reached to present to the Local 125 membership for a vote. On January 15, nearly 300 Ghirardelli members voted unanimously to ratify the contract. The new pact maintains their excellent health care benefits package, provides additional vacation time for senior employees and provides the “folding money” in wage increases they wanted throughout the life of the agreement.

“It was the solidarity of our members and the support by the International Union that helped the negotiating committee reach this tremendous new contract that will benefit the workers of Ghirardelli over the next four years,” reflects Local 125 Vice President Bao-Jun Button.