Save our Pensions!

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union

July/ August 2018

Volume 20 Number 4

INSIDE: DELEGATES - ELECT TO THE 40 TH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

the PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A

Organize. Educate.

Resist. PERSIST.

As you receive this edition of the BCTGM News, already begun to overturn key worker protections. And the final preparations will be well underway for the BCTGM’s conservative majority on the Supreme Court has begun 40th Constitutional Convention. curtailing the rights of workers and unions For the past year and a half, the “All of the sovereign power, including the in an unparalleled manner.

International Union’s Executive legislative, executive, administrative and Employers have continued their Officers and Headquarters staff judicial, of the Bakery, Confectionery, decades-long assault on the labor movement, have been engaged in extensive Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers aided and abetted by corporations, the International Union shall be vested in its super-rich, and their conservative cronies in planning to ensure that the Convention is highly productive Convention when in session.”

Congress and Parliament. and successful.

Despite these challenges, BCTGM local — Article III, Section 1 of the BCTGM unions across North America have fought All of this work takes place Constitution because the Convention sets the hard and smart to preserve and protect all course for our International Union. Every four years, this that has been achieved for our members throughout our rule-making body convenes to elect the officers who will proud 132-year history. lead the Union for the next four years, discuss the goals In short, to survive this onslaught we must and aspirations for the organization and, most importantly, ORGANIZE. EDUCATE. RESIST. PERSIST. plan a path for achieving them.

Through the strength and unity of our membership I truly believe that delegates to the Convention across two countries, the BCTGM will RESIST and take this responsibility very seriously. We know that the PERSIST against the forces that seek to undermine our membership has entrusted their delegates with the very existence. We ORGANIZE and EDUCATE to emerge future of the organization they depend on to defend their from each battle stronger and more committed to meeting rights on the shop floor and protect the standard of living this great organization’s mission established 132 years of their families. ago and which has been confirmed by every successive The Convention also provides a valuable opportunity generation of BCTGM members. for local union officers to connect with their fellow officers I have full confidence that delegates to the 40th from across our two great countries and from the broad Constitutional Convention will fully embrace the theme of spectrum of industries and companies we represent. this Convention and work hard to put in place an aggressive This interaction among delegates and the plan to keep our Union moving forward in a relentless drive responsibilities they share create great energy and to see that our members, our industries and our countries enthusiasm at each BCTGM Convention. As a result, benefit and prosper. officers and delegates leave the Convention every four — David B. Durkee, BCTGM International President years with a renewed vigor and sense of purpose.

This year, nearly half of the delegates will be attending their first Convention. This is encouraging because it is evidence of the organization’s vitality and the broad interest among the membership in the future of our Union.

Official Publication of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco For me, meeting and interacting with first-time Workers and Grain Millers International Union delegates is one of the most enjoyable aspects of every 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895-3961 (301) 933-8600 Convention. They provide a unique perspective on the www.bctgm.org Convention process which I value a great deal.

David B. Durkee, Editor The agenda for Convention delegates will be heavy Corrina A. Christensen, Assistant Editor in responsibility. Since we last met in 2014, this Union and BCTGM General Executive Board our members have confronted some of the most severe President David B. Durkee • Secretary-Treasurer Steve Bertelli Vice Presidents Shad Clark • Jethro Head challenges in our history.

Arthur Montminy • Ron Piercey • Anthony Shelton In the United States, we face a hostile RepublicanBCTGM General Executive Board Members dominated, anti-worker Congress. The Trump Joyce Alston • John Bethel • Thomas Bingler • Richard Davis Pierre Luc Ducet • Paul LaBuda • Terry Lansing Administration has gone after workers by stripping Earl Lublow • Letitia Malone • Gary Oskoian • Paula Steig regulations protecting the safety and health of our Doyle Townson • Jeff Webb • Donald Woods members in the workplace. Newly appointed leaders at the BCTGM News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid at Kensington, MD and at additional mailing offices.

National Labor Relations Board, tasked with protecting Subscription to new members only. Postmaster: Send address changes to BCTGM News, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. workers’ right to join a union and bargain collectively, has

BCTGM News

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BCTGM News

Local Unions RATIFY General Mills Master Agreement The BCTGM General Mills Bargaining Conference agreed to a new four-year master contract that covers over 1,000 members at General Mills. The new agreement expires on May 14, 2022.

The Conference is made up of delegates from all participating General Mills locals. A policy committee from eight different bargaining units voted overwhelmingly to accept the master agreement.

Negotiators held bargaining sessions in Kansas City, Mo., Buffalo, N.Y. and Minneapolis before coming to an agreement. The BCTGM negotiating committee, led by East-Central Region International Vice President Art Montminy and International Representative Roger MIller, included Tom Bingler, Ray Stoklosa and Dave Hawkins from Local 36G (Buffalo); Joe Karpowicz and Bruce Peglow from Local 22 (Minneapolis); Ronnie Horton, Local 218 (Kansas City); Jesus Hernandez, Local 37 (Los Angeles); Tim Cox, Local 109G (Great Falls, Mont.); and Sid Smith, Local 389G (Avon, Iowa).

The committee determined that the primary objectives in negotiations should be improving pension contributions and keeping healthcare costs as low as possible.

The Company came into bargaining with a long list of demands including eliminating retiree healthcare, increasing current employees’ healthcare costs, and changing premium shift rates.

“These were tough negotiations, but we had a determined committee backed by a mobilized membership,” said Montminy. “We were able to negotiate a settlement that includes three increases to the pension multiplier, while maintaining the retiree health benefits. The Committee was very happy about that.”

Wages are negotiated at the Local level.

“We achieved a fair settlement that rewards our members for their hard work and dedication, but will also allow General Mills to remain one of the most profitable food companies in North America,” concludes Montminy.

The master agreement covers workers in eight locations: Buffalo cereal and Buffalo flour (Local 36G); two separate General Mills facilities in Minneapolis (Local 22); a flour mill in Kansas City (Local 218); a flour mill in Great Falls, Mont. (Local 109G); a mill in Avon, Iowa (Local 389G); and a flour mill in Vernon, Calif. (Local 37).

Scott Detweiler July/August 2018

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Thousands Rally Before Pension Hearing: BCTGM retirees and members were among an estimated crowd of 15,000 unionized coal miners, teamsters, steelworkers and others who descended on the Ohio Statehouse July 12-13 to rally ahead of a congressional field hearing on

America’s pension crisis. BCTGM members brandished signs saying “Save Our Pensions” and wore neon-green t-shirts reminding politicians, “We Earned It. We Deserve It.” Hundreds of BCTGM members and retirees traveled to Columbus to participate in the two-day event including Locals 1 (Chicago), 6 (Philadelphia), 19 (Cleveland), 57 (Columbus, Ohio), 58G (Toledo, Ohio), 70 (Grand Rapids, Mich.), 253 (Cincinnati), 256G (Sharonville, Ohio) and 372A (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D) chaired the hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans. Ohio’s other Senator, Republican Rob Portman, is also a member of the Select Committee and attended the hearing. Brown championed creation of the committee and calls the fifth public meeting in Ohio perhaps the most important to date. The bipartisan joint congressional committee is tasked with

Retired BCTGM Intl. Pres. Frank Hurt (center) joined with hundreds of union members and retirees for the rally. Pictured here with Pres.

Hurt are L. 6 member Danny Melendez (left), and L. 6 Organizer Edgar Rodriguez (right).

solving America’s pension crisis that has put the pensions of about 1.5 million retirees and active workers at risk.

“What Washington doesn’t always understand is that these folks sat at the negotiating table; they gave up wages over the last several decades today so that they’d have retirement security in the future,” Brown said.

In comments delivered during the rally, BCTGM International President Durkee proclaimed that, “Congress has within its power the ability to determine whether millions of workers will be able to live their retirement years with economic security and dignity, or in hardship, struggling every day just to get by because the pension benefits you worked so hard for and counted on have been cut.”

BCTGM Local 57 retiree Teresa Robinson, who worked at the Kroger bakery in Columbus for 32 years before retiring, was one of four BCTGM members invited to speak during the two-day event.

“Workers like me retire to enjoy life without the threat or possibility of a reduction in our monthly pension check.

We are asking Congress to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Support hard working people. Don’t let our pension funds be a thing of the past,” proclaimed Robinson.

Retired Local 57 (Columbus) Financial Secretary and GEB member Vester Newsome worked in the baking

Local 19 members from Cleveland.

BCTGM members from nine locals traveled to Columbus to participate.

BCTGM members helped set up the rally the day prior. Intl. Director of Organization John Price gathers the volunteers for a picture with Intl. Pres. David Durkee.

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BCTGM News

industry for 45 years before retiring. “Over the years we would use our wage increases to purchase additional pension, thereby increasing the amount of our monthly pension check. When courts rule against workers and grant corporate executives bonuses and severance pay for mismanaging a company which ultimately causes the company to file for bankruptcy – THIS IS WRONG!” Rick Norris, a Local 57 retiree who worked at the Stay Fresh Bun bakery for 34 years, urged the committee to find a solution that would not cause a reduction in pension benefits. “I’m not saying the government owes us anything we haven’t already earned. I’m not asking for any kind of handout. Our only request is for our government to stand up for working people and show us the respect we have earned. Please provide loans to our pension fund so all retirees can live comfortably after the years of hard work we put in.”

Following the Congressional hearing, President Durkee and Local 6 member Danny Melendez addressed a crowd of about 1,000 outside the Statehouse. Melendez, who works at Bimbo Bakeries USA in Lehigh Valley, Pa., offered his own story on how the pension crisis affects American workers.

After working for more than 20 years at the Nabisco L. 6 member Anthony Downing (Left) and L. 6 Organizer Edgar Rodriguez.

Bakery in Philadelphia, Mondelez International, the parent company of Nabisco, closed the bakery in 2015 and sent production to its new plant in Salinas, Mexico.

After his layoff from Nabisco, Melendez was hired at Bimbo Bakeries Lehigh Valley bakery, where the workers are represented by the BCTGM and thus, he was able to continue to earn pension credits in the B&C Fund, the Union’s multiemployer pension fund.

“It’s important to understand, our pensions were not given to us by the company. We earned these benefits over a lifetime of hard work in extremely demanding working conditions. We secured them and built them through our Union and the collective bargaining process.

“I am certainly not an expert on pension funding.

Not by any stretch. But I do know that my Union, the company I work for and the leadership of the B&C Fund are working hard every day to protect our benefits.

And, they are all in full agreement that it is critical for Congress to pass legislation that provides for long-term, low-interest loans to pension funds such as the B&C Fund. This will help secure our pension benefits for the future,” concluded Melendez, who closed his address by bringing the crowd to their feet chanting, “FIX IT! FIX IT!.”

Intl. Pres. David Durkee delivers a firey speech calling on Congress to address the pension crisis.

L. 6 member Danny Melendez speaks outside the Ohio State House.

July/August 2018

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“I don’t have to tell you that you can’t count on the D next to your name to gain our support. We are ready to move heaven and earth to help a genuine ally. More than anything, that means helping us pass the Workers’ Freedom to Negotiate Act so aspiring union members can organize freely and fairly.”

— AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

“The Supreme Court once again ruled in favor of hyperindividualism and against the collective needs of our people.

The decision also primes the pump to further exacerbate income and wealth disparity in our nation.

Income and wealth inequality is at the very heart of anguish and division in our society. This is not what our democracy should be about. ‘We the People’ are better than this.”

— Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of the Catholic Social Justice Lobby Network, following the June 27 U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision.

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“We need to brace ourselves for a struggle against terrifying obstacles - both of our own making and imposed by the natural world.

And the first step is to recover from the mass delusion that is positive thinking.”

— Barbara Ehrenreich, author of BrightSided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America

“This DOJ and Jeff Sessions are rolling back civil-rights progress and undermining fundamental American values of equality and justice in a fairly unprecedented manner.

Across every issue, from criminal-justice reform to voting rights to LGBTQ rights, the attorney general is advancing a vision of America that is narrow, and abdicating some of the Justice Department’s core responsibilities and mandate to ensure equal rights and access to justice for all.”

— Vanita Gupta, the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and former head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division

“I am not being alarmist, I’m simply stating the facts. Look around. Strongman politics are ascendant, suddenly, whereby elections and some pretense of democracy are maintained, the form of it, where those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning. The free press is under attack. Censorship and state control of media is on the rise. Social media, once seen as a mechanism to promote knowledge and understanding and solidarity, has proved to be just as effective promoting hatred and paranoia and propaganda and conspiracy theories.”

— Former U.S. Pres. Barack Obama, 16th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in South Africa on July 17 BCTGM News

The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union

Article III, Sec. 6 of the International Union Constitution calls for the publication of the names of the Delegates-Elect to the regular Convention of the International Union.

The pages that follow list the Delegates-Elect whose credentials have been received within the time limit designated by the International Union Constitution. Local Union delegations are listed in numerical order by Local.

Delegates-Elect to the

40TH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

David B. Durkee

Steven V. Bertelli

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Shad K. Clark • Jethro A. Head

Joyce C. Alston • John W. Bethel, Jr.

Arthur L. Montminy

Thomas Bingler • Richard S. Davis

Ron Piercey • Anthony L. Shelton

Pierre Luc Doucet • Paul LaBuda Terry W. Lansing • Earl W. Lublow

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Letitia Malone • Gary S. Oskoian

Jason M. Davis • Randy W. Fulk

Paula A. Steig • Doyle D. Townson

Sylvain Gagne • Roger L. Miller

Jeffrey A. Webb • Donald L. Woods

Bradford P. Schmidt • Zachary Townsend Karl E. Walker • David G. Woods

DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION John J. Price

AUGUST 8 - 14, 2018 • PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA July/August 2018

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LOCAL 1 CHICAGO

LOCAL 13G HASTINGS, MN

LOCAL 31 LONG BEACH, CA

LOCAL 57 COLUMBUS, OH

JOHN JEFFERSON

JACOB A. OSTENDORF

MICHAEL D. MARCHESE

DARNELL M. IRONS

PATRICIA M. ORTIZ

MARK A. LEE

LOCAL 19 CLEVELAND

KENNETH L. WYATT

JOSEPH J. LEROY

JAMES R. FRANKLIN SR MICHAEL E. GALASSI

LOCAL 36G BUFFALO, NY

LOCAL 58G TOLEDO, OH

RONNIE LINDER JR

SCOTT D. BAER

JOHN P. SCOTT

PHIL LUKIC

JACQUELINE JOHNSON

EDWARD SORINA

JAMES RUMSEY

LOCAL 42 ATLANTA

LOCAL 62G MANKATO, MN

LOCAL 22 TWIN CITIES, MN

DAVID C. COOPER

MICHAEL MCDONALD

TODD J. AMENT

JEFF R. LEDBETTER

WALTER K. BORGAN

RUBY P. THOMAS

JEANNE M. McNICHOLS ANTONIO P. RAYGOZA MARY R. ROSS ERASMO SANCHEZ BETH R. ZAVALA

LOCAL 3G BATTLE CREEK, MI TREVOR J. BIDELMAN DONIVAN D. WILLIAMS

LOCAL 6 PHILADELPHIA ANNA-LISA FABIAN ALEXANDER E. FATTORE KENNETH E. FISHER KEVIN G. LOONEY MATTHEW G. McDONOUGH HENRY J. MCKAY JOHN T. TATE

LOCAL 9 SEATTLE BILL GINGER DAVID E. SHAUGHNESSY

CHARLES A. MCGEE

DARRELL R. LANE

CHARLES F. KAUDER

JASON D. THOMAS

MATTHEW H. RYDER

LOCAL 48G KEOKUK, IA

GREGORY J. STORDAHL

STEVE UNDERWOOD

BRUCE J. PEGLOW

LOCAL 65 TULSA, OK

LOCAL 68 BALTIMORE MAIDA L. BILSON

LOCAL 25 LOCAL 50G CHATTANOOGA, TN OMAHA, NE

KENNITA A. JONES

DAVID D. EDDINGTON

ROB J. DOWN

BURBEE HEARD JR

BARBARA A. GAMACHE

RODNEY LIGHTFOOT SR

LAVON HINES

KENNETH MERRITT

THOMAS W. KELLY

STEVEN M. SHULTERS JOSEPH E. SMEJKAL

KIRK SHIN

LOCAL 26 DENVER

CHERYL A. STONE

MIKE FUSHIMI

LOCAL 55 ST. LEONARD, QC

MARY F. TRUJILLO

CLIFTON HORTON

CATHERINE BRISEBOIS

ANDREW W. LESSANE

IRIS J. MILLER CHERYL T. MOOG

LOCAL 69 PORT CHESTER, NY RENOL LUSTIN EARL R. YOUNG

MARTIN CAYER

LOCAL 10G CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

ERIC THERIAULT

MARK RANDALL

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BCTGM News

LOCAL 70 GRAND RAPIDS, MI

LOCAL 103G DECATUR, IL

LOCAL 125 SAN LEANDRO, CA

LOCAL 232 PHOENIX

GERMAN R. GUIFARRO

JEFFREY A. ANGELL

CORINNE E. BRUCE

JULIO C. MARTINEZ

MARK L. HEINTZELMAN

MICHAEL CLEM

RENE CASTILLO

ORIN S. HOLDER

CHARLES A. DANBURY

DAVID K. CHEONG

LAURA J. MONTERROSO CESAR E. PINTO GENISE REESE SHAWN D. SIMS

LOCAL 81 TRAVERSE CITY, MI DAN L. BRISTOL JR ALEX M. KELLOGG

RODOLFO GOMEZ

LOCAL 111 DALLAS/FT WORTH MICHAEL A. HINES MARTHA A. KIBLINGER DAVID D. MENEFEE

MARC BELANGER

LOCAL 167G GRAND FORKS, ND RENAE M. FREDRICKSON DWIGHT GERSZEWSKI KEVIN JERIK

LOCAL 114 PORTLAND, OR

JOHN G. RISKEY

ALEJANDRO G. AHUMADA

LOCAL 85 SACRAMENTO, CA

DARREN S. HAMANN

LOCAL 176T DURHAM, NC

TAMI L. MATHEWS

MARK S. HOCUTT

GERARDO GIL

ZACHARY S. MURPHY

KRISTINA WALTER

ANDREW C. STERN

LOCAL 192T REIDSVILLE, NC

LOCAL 102 NEW YORK

LOCAL 116 SYRACUSE, NY

RODNEY D. DOSS

RAYMOND A. AQUILINO

WILLIAM R. ANDRE

LOCAL 196T OWENSBORO, KY

LOCAL 102G LAFEYETTE, IN DAVID BARNARD

LOCAL 103 ORLANDO, FL EDWARD J. DOWD DONALD W. LEWIS III

RANDY S. COOK

LOCAL 117 WASHINGTON, DC WALTER PREVETT

LOCAL 235T MONTREAL, QC

LOCAL 252 CALGARY, AB LYLE W. PAUL MARK ROBAR CONNIE M. SLADE

LOCAL 252G MEMPHIS, TN BILLY D. BROWN ROB L. EAFEN

LOCAL 253 CINCINNATI DAVID A. PUCKETT MICHAEL R. SHOEMAKER

LUCAS A. BULLIS

LOCAL 256G SHARONVILLE, OH

LOCAL 203T RICHMOND, VA

DENNIS D. RODGERS

ROMEL A. EDMONSON

LOCAL 118 WASHINGTON, DC

MICHAEL J. FEENSTRA

LOCAL 261T QUEBEC CITY, QC

CHRISTOPHER A. HAYES

UGO RENAUD

THOMAS J. JOHNSON

SCOTT E. TRAMMELL

LESLIE N. JONES MARISSA R. RAMOS YANDOC

LOCAL 227 ST LEONARD, QC

LOCAL 262G CROSWELL, MI JAMES A. HERING

DANIEL MILLER

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LOCAL 263G BAY CITY, MI

LOCAL 317T GREENSBORO, NC

LOCAL 359T HOPEWELL, VA

LOCAL 433 SIOUX CITY, IA

RICK A. BOWKER

DERRICK P. BYRD

CYNTHIA A. BURTON

STEPHEN A. HOWARD

KEITH E. PAHL

MICHAEL J. HUGHES NORMAN A. PEGRAM

LOCAL 364 PORTLAND, OR

LOCAL 464 HERSHEY, PA

CAMERON J. TAYLOR

RANDALL L. BLEILER

WILLIAM HEGEDUS

LOCAL 326 DETROIT

VICTOR T. WEEKES

KEVIN L. BOLTZ

NAVAN NAVARATNAM

GIRARD J. BIST

BELINDA M. PARK

NIKEE R. CRAINE-KANITZ

LOCAL 264 TORONTO

HARRY P. SINGH MICHAEL D. SMITH ERROL STEPHENSON GIUSEPPE ZAFFINO

LOCAL 270T WILSON, NC TRACY A. TAYLOR

LOCAL 282G HEYBURN, ID ERICK A. HAWKER WESLEY LINDSAY

LOCAL 283G TWIN FALLS, ID KEITH D. BROWN RON W. STORY

LOCAL 303G BLOOMINGTON, IL BOB DUDGEON

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LOCAL 334 PORTLAND, ME JAMES E. ANDERSCHAT

LOCAL 342 BLOOMINGTON, IL JAMES M. JOHNSON

LOCAL 348 FRAMINGHAM, MA TIMOTHY F. BENJAMIN JUAN F. FIGUEROA

LOCAL 350T GRANBY, QC

DIANE E. CARROLL

LOCAL 387G LANCASTER, PA

RODNEY S. CARROLL

ROBERT M. SHENK JR

DERRYL E. KREISER

ELIZABETH A. CLEWS SHARON M. SHEETZ

LOCAL 389G AVON, IA SIDNEY A. SMITH

LOCAL 468 VANCOUVER, BC BRIAN E. CLARKE

LOCAL 403 KINGSTON, ON

DAVID W. TEMPLE

ROBERT J. GANNON

LOCAL 480 STE-MARIE, QC

LOCAL 406 MONCTON, NB

PIERRE BOUCHER

LOUIS P. BOUDREAU

YVES MARCOUX

DAVID LEBLANC

MARIE JO MORISSETTE

KENNETH R. THOMPSON

SYLVAIN AMIRAULT PATRICK ST-ONGES

LOCAL 407G MEMPHIS, TN

LOCAL 352G ALBUQUERQUE, NM

TERRY W. HOWARD

ERIC CHAMPAGNE

LOCAL 719 FAIRLAWN, NJ STAN MILEWSKI RICHARD J. NAZZARO RANDY H. RAUCO

MALCOLM B. SETTLES

BCTGM News

2018 BCTGM

T

he BCTGM International proudly announces the winners of the 2018 BCTGM International Scholarship Program. Five $2,000 one-time awards were presented to students. The winners were chosen from a total of 86 applicants from the U.S. and Canada.

The BCTGM International Scholarship

Maria Zavala Garcia, daughter of Celia Zavala, member of BCTGM Local 22 (Twin Cities, Minn.) employed at Happy’s Potato Chip Co. Maria will attend University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

July/August 2018

Lydia Crader, daughter of Keith Renken, member of BCTGM Local 4 (St. Louis, Mo.) employed at Ardent Mills.

Lydia will attend Missouri State University.

Program is an example of the union’s committment to higher education at a time when college costs continue to soar out of reach for many working families. Since 1962, the International has helped fulfill the educational dreams of students representing BCTGM families throughout North America.

James Watson, son of James E. Watson, member of BCTGM Local 203T (Richmond, Va.) employed at Altria Company.

James will attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

www.bctgm.org

Kailey Rios, daughter of Amy Jo Dean, member of BCTGM Local 374G (Lancaster, Pa.) employed at Kellogg in Lancaster.

Kailey will attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Martin Dimitrov, son of Denitza Markova, member of BCTGM Local 468 (Vancouver, Canada) employed at Canada Safeway. Martin will attend University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

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Baking Up UNION PRIDE in Pa.

There are 242 highly skilled and diverse members of BCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia) who produce 250 different labels of bread and buns at the Bimbo Bakeries USA plant in Lehigh Valley, Pa. During the bakery’s busy season, the workers produce 3.8 million products a week.

The 231,000-square foot bakery opened in 2014 and was designed as a high performance workplace.

Workers in this type of facility normally have more flexibility on the job, increased decision-making abilities, and more trouble-shooting responsibility.

The Lehigh Valley plant, situated on approximately 29 acres, is highly automated and

advanced using some of the newest technology in the baking industry. All of the Local 6 workers employed at the Lehigh Valley bakery are highly trained in the use of the sophisticated equipment.

In 2011, Bimbo Bakeries USA announced it would invest nearly $1 billion dollars in its North American manufacturing infrastructure, including building new state-of-the-art baking facilities. To date, Bimbo has opened new bakeries in Topeka, Kan., Elkart, Ind., Rockwall, Texas and Lehigh Valley.

Workers at all of Bimbo’s high performance bakeries are members of the BCTGM. Bimbo Bakeries USA brands produced by BCTGM members include: Arnold, Entenmann’s, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas’ English Muffins.

Leigh Goduski

Anthony Downing & George Brown

Mark Kenwall 12

BCTGM News

Cruz Rivera & Rick Lowry

L. 6 Pres./Bus. Agt. Hank McKay and Billy Schlicher

Luis Guzman

Jaime Fontanez

Scott Detweiler and L. 6 Pres./ Bus. Agt. Hank McKay

July/August 2018

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BCTGM Nabisco Retirees:

HANDS OFF OUR PENSIONS!

In mid-July, scores of retired Nabisco BCTGM members from New York and New Jersey descended on the North American headquarters of Mondelēz in East Hanover, N.J. chanting, “What’s disgusting?

Pension busting!”

Following the protest, the retirees traveled to the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., where Mondelēz Board of Directors member Jorge Mesquita serves as Johnson & Johnson Worldwide Chairman. As a member of the Mondelēz Board of Directors, Mesquita approved CEO pay at an average of $29 million per year 2008 – 2012.

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On May 22, Mondelez notified the BCTGM that it was unilaterally withdrawing from the B&C Pension Fund and would stop making payments into the Fund that BCTGM Nabisco members negotiated. The company’s withdrawal from the B&C Pension Fund leaves thousands of Nabisco employees and retirees with an uncertain retirement. The company’s withdrawal from the Fund also undermines the pension benefits of all BCTGM members.

BCTGM Nabisco retirees are taking to the streets in cities across the U.S. to protest the attack on their pension by Mondelēz. Pictured here are retired Nabisco workers and representatives of the New Jersey AFL-CIO.

BCTGM News

AT&T Wireless:

Why Should Union Members Choose AT&T? Union Strength, Union Solidarity AT&T employs nearly 150,000 members of the Communication Workers of America (CWA). That means when you visit an AT&T store, you’ll always be able to find a fellow union member to assist you. Meanwhile, AT&T has the nation’s largest network, covering over 99% of Americans.

Exclusive Wireless Savings, Just for Union Members • Union members can save 15% on the monthly service charge of qualified wireless plans, including 3 GB, 6 GB and 10 GB plans -- and 20% savings on select accessories from AT&T. • $25 Waived Activation Fee on Select Devices Whether you shop online or take the BCTGM Power/Union Plus coupon into an official AT&T store, you’ll save!

Other benefits may include: • $650 Switcher Credit: You could qualify to receive up to $650 in credits per line when you switch to AT&T. • Up to $250 in Cash Back Rebates: Union Plus Credit Cardholders may be eligible to earn up to $250 cash back from Union Plus.

• Savings for Union Staff and Local Offices: AT&T offers special discounts for union staff and local union office employees.

Visit www.unionplus.org/benefits/home/att-discounts to download your discount coupon, locate a store or shop online.

July/August 2018

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