Bthe PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Riding the WAVE into 2026
By most measurements, 2025 has been a successful year for the BCTGM International Union, its local unions and BCTGM members across the United States and Canada.
Negotiations
BCTGM local unions continued to negotiate tremendous contracts that improved our members’ wages, health benefits, retirement security and day-to-day work life. Many of these negotiations were challenging and I commend our local unions for mobilizing their members when necessary and standing up to their employers’ demands.
Organizing
Many of our local unions have shown a great commitment to organizing new members into the BCTGM.
In Right-to-Work (for less) states, local unions have increased their efforts to sign up new members, get them educated on their Union rights and show them the power of belonging to the BCTGM. Every one of our members is an organizer who can preach the Union gospel to new employees when they first start their job.
In addition, many local unions have risen to the challenge of starting organizing campaigns at nonunion plants. On page 3, you will read how leaders at BCTGM Local 26 in Denver, Colo. started a campaign, and—with help from the International— successfully organized a new bakery. Other local unions have started campaigns at non-union plants in their areas. In each case, the International is there to offer full support and guidance.
We know that the power of the labor moment and this Union lies in increasing our Union density. The more members we have in our Union the better our contracts will be, and the stronger we will be against our employers.
Council Meetings
The energy and excitement at our BCTGM Regional and Sector council meetings this year was higher than it’s been in a long time. There were great reports of contracts won, successful arbitrations upholding our sacred contracts, positive updates on internal organizing in Right-to-Work (for less) states and examples of community mobilization.
There were also robust discussions on ways to focus more energy on organizing new members,
mobilizing in support of pro-worker legislation at the state and local levels, and supporting proUnion political candidates in upcoming elections.
Mobilizing
Many of our members have been mobilizing in support of fired federal workers and hitting the streets to protest the anti-union agenda of the Trump Administration. I am proud of our members for standing in solidarity with their Union brothers and sisters in their time of need, and protecting the rights of all Union workers.
Riding into 2026
Five years ago, Secretary-Treasurer David Woods and I made a commitment to hit the road and visit our local unions and the shops they represent. We continued to make good on that promise in 2025 by visiting dozens of bakeries, sugar mills and tobacco plants. What we saw in those plants, and the energy of the members I spoke with, made me feel encouraged about the future of this great Union as we head into the 2026 Convention year.
—Anthony Shelton, BCTGM International President
Anthony Shelton , Editor Michelle Ellis, Assistant Editor
Cover Art: Reprinted from the December 1953 Bakers’ and Confectioners’ Journal. The window of the bakery displays a “UnionEstablishment” sticker with the B & C Union Label of that time.
Bimbo QSR Organizing Committee: L. 26 Pres. Clifton Horton, Western Region Int’l Vice Pres. Shad Clark, Int’l Rep. Alejandro Ahumada, Nayeli Soto, Razia Valle, Jose Cuevas, L. 26
Member Mohammed Jafari, Int’l Rep. Andrew Gutierrez and Int’l Secy. Treas. David Woods.
VICTORY FOR WORKERS
at Bimbo QSR in Denver, Colo.
130 workers at the Bimbo QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) bakery in Denver have voted to join BCTGM Local 26 (Denver, Colo.).
Workers in the facility bake buns and other bread products for use at quick service restaurants like Wendy’s, Burger King and McDonald’s.
The organizing committee for this campaign consisted of BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods, Western Region Vice President Shad Clark, International Representatives Alejandro Ahumada and Andrew Gutierrez, Local 26 President Clifton Horton and Local 26 Financial Secretary/Business Agent Drew Buchholz.
The committee’s organizing strategy began with an emphasis on the positive relationship between the BCTGM and Bimbo Bakeries USA.
“This is a good company and our Union already represents the majority of their workers across the country,” Woods says. “We had a very productive dialogue with Bimbo executives early on. They agreed that the workers would get a free and fair election without any interferance.”
The committee also had work to do in building trust with the workers. “One of our biggest challenges was the language barrier,” Woods says. “A significant portion of the workforce is Spanish-speaking, and 25-30 are Afghans [who speak Dari].”
Ahumada and Gutierrez made themselves available at all times to communicate in Spanish with the workers. Horton recruited member Mohammad Jafari from Local 26’s King Soopers shop to assist the campaign with translations in Dari.
“These guys really got to know the workers,” Woods says. “They made friends with them and helped them understand what the Union is all about. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
In addition to face-to-face conversations, all printed communications for the campaign were written in English, Spanish and Dari to make sure all of the workers could understand the information.
Thanks to their efforts, over 80% of the workers at the Denver Bimbo QSR plant voted in favor of the Union.
“Having a compay take a neutral position in a Union organizing campaign is extremely rare, and not something we take for granted as organizers,” Woods continues. “It just goes to show that when workers are given a free and fair opportunity to learn and talk about the Union, they will choose to have a voice in their workplace. They will vote for the Union.”
In reflecting on the organizing victory at Bimbo QSR, President Shelton said in a statement:
“I commend Secretary-Treasurer Woods, our International staff in the Western Region and the leaders at Local 26 for their incredible work on this campaign, which showed that the BCTGM is a Union that represents ALL workers.
“We are honored to welcome the workers of Bimbo QSR into the BCTGM, and will support Local 26 with everything necessary to deliver the same strong representation that the workers at their sister facilities enjoy.”
BACK IN LONDON, Ky. after Hearthside Foods is Charged with Violating Federal Labor Law
BCTGM organizers are back at it in London, Ky. after an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found Hearthside Food Solutions (since renamed Maker’s Pride) guilty of numerous violations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) during last year’s Union organizing campaign.
“Our campaign last year was met with one of the most aggressive Union-busting operations I have ever seen,” reports East-Central Region International Representative Lisa Gregory. “We filed nearly 20 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB during the campaign in 2024.”
Hearthside was found guilty of many of those charges, which ranged from surveillance to implied promises for voting against the Union— and the most egregious offense of all, the firing of four employees for their Union activity.
“The workers feel very validated in this ruling,” Gregory continues. “We feel that justice was served and we are happy to have the goahead for new election as ordered by the ALJ.”
Organizers from BCTGM Local 57 (Columbus, Ohio) have wasted no time getting back out to the London, Ky. plant, this time with enhanced solidarity from other members of the BCTGM. “Leaders from Local 218 (Kansas City, Mo.) recently drove out to hold solidarity signs with us and talk to the workers,” reports Local 57 President Rob Gaskins. “We know how ready
and fed up these workers are, that really meant a lot.”
In response to the ruling, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton issued the following statement:
“Last year’s Union election at Hearthside Foods in London, Ky. was filed with Union cards signed by the majority of workers in that plant. We remain confident that the workers would have been successful if not for the aggressive scare tactics deployed by Hearthside.
“This International vowed last year to continue this fight toward Union representation for all Hearthside workers and we intend to keep our word. This ruling is an important step forward and I’m proud of our local union leaders who are already back on the ground in London, Ky.”
Hearthside workers Monty and Roxanne Hallman, Kathy Southard, Philip Partin and Dosha Hensley attend a solidarity picnic during the 2024 organizing campaign.
BCTGM Members from L. 57 (Columbus, Ohio) and L. 218 (Kansas City, Mo.) show up to rally support and reignite the organizing campaign in London, Ky.
2026 BCTGM INTERNATIONAL
constitutional convention
DELEGATE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The 42nd Constitutional Convention of the BCTGM International Union will be held July 28-30, 2026 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla.
Delegates to the Convention, per Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution, must have been a continuously good-standing, dues-paying member of the International Union and local union the delegate represents for at least two (2) continuous years next prior to election.
Per the official Convention Call, which will be posted online by May 1, 2026, published in the April/May/June 2026 BCTGM NEWS and mailed to all local unions by May 1, 2026, delegate elections are “subject to the provisions of the International Constitution and the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (Landrum-Griffin Act)”.
International Union officers will be elected at the Convention; the Landrum-Griffin Act requires all Convention delegates that vote in officer elections to have been elected by secret ballot to represent their local union. This means that local union officers, not serving as a Convention delegate by virtue of their office, must be elected in a special delegate secret ballot election. Notice must be given to the membership of the time and place for the nomination and election of delegates. Delegates cannot be elected by voice vote or by show of hands.
Local union officers are required to keep their local union up-to-date with its reports and per capita tax payments to the International Union to allow participation in the BCTGM’s 42nd Constitutional Convention in 2026.
New Officer’s Training Class of 2025 Reflects on a Successful Week
Thirteen local union leaders completed the most recent New Officer’s Training at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies in Linthicum, Md.
The week-long session focused on local union administration, internal and external organizing,
labor history, labor law, contract negotiation and communication with members.
The course was led by Executive Assistant to the President Matthew Clark, with assistance from International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods and Director of Communications Michelle Ellis.
On these pages, attendees reflect on their week of intensive education.
“My favorite segment was Labor Law. It was cool to hear from the International’s legal council. The teaching methods also met people where they were, with many different learning styles taken into account.”
—Jeremy Cimino, Business Agent/Financial Secretary, BCTGM Local 116
“I’m ready to take servicing much more serious—getting out there and visiting all the facilities my local union represents.”
—Zachary Bernard, Business
L. 163 Bus. Agt./Fin. Secy. Zachary Bernard, L. 263G Vice Pres. Jeff Baur and L. 125 Vice Pres.
(Syracuse, N.Y.)
Agent/Financial Secretary, BCTGM Local 163 (Dickinson, Texas)
New Officer’s Training Class of 2025 with BCTGM Exec. Asst. to the Pres. Matthew Clark, Int’l Secy. Treas. David Woods and Int’l Pres. Anthony Shelton.
L. 203T Vice Pres. Cadell Moore, L. 25 Asst. Bus. Agt. Cody Blissitt and L. 117G Fin. Secy. Savannah Harper collaborate on a group project.
Joann Velasquez learn about organizing from Int’l Secy. Treas. David Woods.
“I
appreciated the tools provided for internal and external organizing. The information on mapping the workplace was helpful, as well as the deep dive into negotiations and proposals.”
—Brad Wiese, President, BCTGM Local 218 (Kansas City, Mo.)
“My favorite part was the negotiating and preparation. I learned a lot about what to do and how.”
—Savannah
Harper, Financial Secretary, BCTGM Local 117G (Shawnee, Okla.)
“I really liked meeting representatives from all over the U.S. I’m looking forward to doing a better job servicing based on the information gathered here—getting back to visiting all three shifts in our plant.”
—Cadell Moore, Vice President, BCTGM Local 203T (Richmond, Va.)
Int’l Exec. Asst. to the Pres. Matthew Clark leads a session on Labor History. Local union leaders are asked to research a significant historical event and present it to the group the next day.
“I realized all local unions have basically the same problems!”
—Kevin Bateman, President, BCTGM Local 317T (Greensboro, N.C.)
Local union officers take notes while listening to the various contributors to the week-long training.
BCTGM Locals Proudly Affiliate with
In 2022, BCTGM International President
Anthony Shelton led a taskforce to strengthen State Federations and Area and Central Labor Bodies (CLCs) on behalf of the AFL-CIO Executive Council.
TAYLOR ALMOND
Financial
Secretary/Principal Officer, BCTGM Local 114 (Portland, Ore.); Exec. Board Member for the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and Oregon AFL-CIO
Serving the executive boards of her state and area labor bodies has opened Almond’s eyes to the true impact of each worker’s voice in the legislative process. “The work of our Federations has helped pass multiple worker-friendly laws in Oregon,” she says. “Most recently, a law that raises the minimum wage annually, one that requires overtime notification five days in advance, and Oregon SB916, which allows striking workers to claim unemployment benefits.”
“A lot can be done at the local level to affect big change for the people you represent,” Almond asserts.
JAKE WATKINS Financial Secretary, BCTGM Local 372A (Indianapolis, Ind.); Recording Secretary for both the Central Indiana AFL-CIO and the Hoosier Heartland Labor Federation
“Affiliating with the state and area Federations is something we discussed during our local union elections just a couple years ago,” Watkins says. After he was elected as Local 372A Financial Secretary, he started the process of joining the area Federations.
In addition to conducting site visits to facilitate discussions with other Union members, he also incorporated messaging to BCTGM members whenever possible. “The good and admirable work done by state federations and CLCs benefits every BCTGM local union—whether the local is a dues-
WALLY BORGAN
President, BCTGM
Local 22 (Minneapolis, Minn.); Affiliated with the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation and the Minnesota AFL-CIO
Borgan and the other leaders of Local 22 regularly attend events for their area and state labor bodies. “The network we have built through these affiliations is invaluable,” he asserts.
As an example, Borgan recently ran into leaders from the local and state charters in the lobby of their local union office building. “I told them about our organizing campaign at Bimbo in South St. Paul, where we need help communicating with workers in Karen,” he says.
Borgan said within 24 hours they had him in touch with someone who could help. “A member of the St. Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) is now helping us with translations for those workers,” Borgan graciously concludes.
“I was nominated as a delegate to both charters shortly thereafter, and just this year took on the role of Recording Secretary for both,” he says.
Affiliating is as easy as reading over the constitutions and beginning to pay dues, according to Watkins.
“The same way we use Union dues to support the local union, they will use our dues to support whatever the members need in the area.”
with State and Area Labor Bodies
paying affiliate or not,” he told members.
Shelton explained that if BCTGM locals are not contributing, we are ‘free loaders,’ and no different than those workers in Right-to-Work (for less) states who won’t join the Union but claim all the benefits.
“Local and state labor bodies help us organize
KEVIN BRADSHAW Member,
BCTGM Local 252G (Memphis, Tenn.); President of the Memphis and West Tennessee Central Labor Council; Vice President of the Tennessee AFL-CIO
Bradshaw was a leader in BCTGM contract disputes with his Memphis Kellogg’s plant during the Kellogg Lockout of 2013 and the Kellogg Strike of 2021. “In both cases, the company wanted to make us a cost saving project,” he recalls.
His connection to the Memphis and West Tennessee CLC in both fights allowed him to grow support quickly.
“We focus on building relationships with elected officials and community partners to build worker power,” he says.
Bradshaw points to local politics as a major player in the workers’ ability to make progress. “I’ve always been a firm believer that if you’re not at the table then you’re on the menu,” he asserts.
and raise the bar for all working people,” President Shelton says. “I’m extremely proud of our BCTGM locals answering the call across the U.S. and Canada.”
On these pages, several affiliated BCTGM local union leaders discuss what that involvement has looked like for them.
MARK LEE
Financial Secretary/Principal Officer, BCTGM Local 57 (Columbus, Ohio); Vice President of the Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Affiliate of the Cincinnati Labor Council and the Ohio AFL-CIO
The Ohio AFL-CIO endorses or recommends political candidates in every election cycle based on the issues that affect Union jobs, according to Lee.
“I’m really grateful to the staff that sorts through all this to provide us with clear information for workers,” he says. “This work has been essential to making sure our members are well informed and politically active.”
Local 57 also participates in an annual Holiday food drive with the Central Ohio Labor Council called Christmas Cares, Union Shares. “We’re really proud of this project, which gets us into the community and aims to feed area families one meal a day for two weeks while the kids are out of school,” he concludes.
Some of that activity includes events like Labor Fest, a large festival attended by the Indianapolis labor community. “It’s similar to the value we get from gathering with other BCTGM locals at our Union trainings and conferences,” he says. “You have a beer with other Union members in your community and realize—not only are we not alone, there is a lot we can learn from each other with regards to addressing our very common struggles.”
LISTEN TO THIS ON OUR PODCAST!
EPISODE 41: LOCAL UNIONS ON THE ImPORTANCE Of AffILIATINg wITH STATE fEDERATIONS AND CENTRAL L AbOR bODIES
SCAN TO LISTEN
L. 125 members protest outside the bread plant during the company-organized Fall Festival.
Solidarity WINS at California Safeway Bread Plant
Members of BCTGM Local 125 (Oakland, Calif.) ratified a new contract with Safeway Bread Plant, narrowly avoiding a strike at the Richmond, Calif. bakery.
“The Union members worked for fourteen months under an expired contract and stood strong together for what they deserve,” reports Western Region International Representative Karrie Setters.
The workers took issue with low raises offered by Safeway, pointing to superior wages at a sister plant in Los Angeles.
Scheduling was also an issue, according to Local 125 member Alejandro Cendejas. “First, they laid off a bunch of workers and then called them back,” he says. “Now, many aren’t getting enough hours to maintain their families, while others with more seniority are forced to work overtime.” Cendejas also mentioned if they don’t work a certain number of hours their medical coverage can be cut.
Workers took brave action during the fight, organizing a picket outside the bread plant on the same day as the company-organized “Fall Festival.”
They also wore matching shirts with the phrase “fair contract now” on a day that Corporate was visiting the plant.
Due to these actions, the workers won favorable wage increases and improvements to scheduling.
“It just goes to show that through solidarity all things are possible,” Setters asserts. “That doesn’t always have to mean going on strike.”
Biscuit, Candy, Snack and Pasta Council Gathers in Myrtle Beach
Over 60 delegates met in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for the annual Biscuit, Candy, Snack and Pasta Council meeting in October. Attending the conference were dozens of BCTGM local unions representing workers throughout the United States and Canada.
Delegates listened to speeches and presentations, broke into smaller groups to discuss industry-specific
trends and organizing opportunities, and engaged in strategy discussions around similar employers.
“This council meeting really allows our locals across North America to compare notes about employers, strategize and think about how to effectively tackle the challenges in our industries,” noted BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton.
L. 125 members Elsa Hernandez,Yolanda Hernandez, Susan Yeung and Zhofeng Lin proudly show off their “fair contract now” tee shirts.
Canadian Council Meets in Quebec City
Fifty delegates from local unions representing workers in Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta gathered for the 8th BCTGM Canadian Council.
During the two-day conference, local union leaders listened to speeches, compared notes for representing workers in today’s Canadian workplaces and caught up with one another as friends and union siblings.
Speeches included a rousing address by President
Magalie Picard of the Fédération de TravailleursQuebec Federation of Labour, and a presentation on strategic preparation for negotiations Mélanie Laroche from the University of Montreal.
The conference was also attended by BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton, SecretaryTreasurer David Woods, International Executive Assistant to the President Matthew Clark and Canadian International Vice President Ron Piercey, each of whom addressed the delegates during the meetings.
Midwest Region Delegates Chart the Future in Bloomington, Ill.
Over one hundred delegates from BCTGM local unions in the Midwest Region met in Bloomington, Ill. for the annual BCTGM Midwest Region Conference, hosted by Local 342 (Bloomington, Ill.).
Delegates listened to speeches and presentations, gave local union reports and discussed issues like organizing, servicing and political action.
BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton, Secretary-Treasurer David Woods, Executive Assistant to the President Matthew Clark, Midwest Region Vice President Jason Davis, and International Representatives Veronica Hopkins and Ryan Hocke delivered remarks during the meetings.
A special tribute video was shown to commemorate John Price, former BCTGM Organizing Director who passed away on December
2, 2024. Many delegates and guests shared their memories and lessons learned from Brother Price during his career.
The guestlist for the event included two BCTGM retirees—former Midwest Region Vice President Brad Schmidt and retired Assistant to the President Harry Kaiser. Both briefly spoke to the delegates.
According to President Shelton, there was a very positive feeling throughout the conference. “Delegates were enthused with the great contracts that have been negotiated, with the service they receive from the International Union, and were excited about moving that positive energy into a convention year,” he said. “Our Union leaders in this region are doing a great job.”
SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY UNION AND INDUSTRY INTERNATIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS FUND
This is a summary of the annual report of the Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry International Health Benefits Fund, EIN 530227042, Plan No. 501, for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The annual report has been filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
The Joint Board of Trustees of the Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry International Health Benefits Fund have committed themselves to pay all non-insured claims incurred under the terms of the Plan.
Insurance Information
The plan has a contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company to pay health and prescription drug claims incurred under the terms of the plan. The total premiums paid for the plan year ending December 31, 2024 were $6,157,459.
Basic Financial Statement
The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $272,877,738 as of December 31, 2024, compared to $254,708,950 as of January 1, 2024. During the plan year the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $18,168,788. This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the difference between the value of the plan’s assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. During the plan year, the plan had total income of $39,057,324, including employer contributions of $11,258,340, participant contributions of $147,120, realized gains
of $1,099,431 from the sale of assets, and earnings from investments of $18,046,600, and other income of $8,505,833.
Plan expenses were $20,888,536. These expenses included $3,967,793 in administrative expenses and $16,920,743 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries. A total of 22,194 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the year.
Your Rights To Additional Information
You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report:
• an accountant’s report;
• financial information;
• information on payments to service providers;
• assets held for investment;
• transactions in excess of 5% of the plan assets;
• insurance information, including sales commissions paid by insurance carriers;
To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office of Steven D. Brock who is the Manager of Administrative Services, Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry International Health Benefits and Pension Funds, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750. The charge to cover copying costs will be $10.00 for the full annual report, or 25 cents per page for any part thereof.
You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income
FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024
and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge.
You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan at 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3960 and at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, Room N1513, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.
Additional Explanation
Additional Basic Financial Statement
Information: The retiree contributions of $8,505,833 were for extended health insurance under the plan.
Información Adicional
Si tiene dificultad en la interpretación de este Sumario del Reporte Anual, por favor escriba o llama a la oficina de Steven D. Brock, que es el Director de los Servicios Administrativos de el Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry International Health Benefits and Pension Funds, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750.
FUNDS’ TRUSTEES
Following is a listing of the trustees currently serving on the boards of each Fund:
Union Trustees –
• Anthony Shelton (Chairman), Intl. Pres.;
• David Woods, Intl. Secy.-Treas.;
• Shad Clark, Intl. Vice Pres.;
• Roger Miller, Intl. Vice Pres.;
• Jason Davis, Intl. Vice Pres.;
• Zachary L. Townsend, Intl. Vice Pres.
Employer Trustees –
• Phil Paturzo (Secretary), Vice Pres., Labor Relations, Bimbo Bakeries, USA;
• Darin Torosian, Vice Pres., Human Resources, The Kroger Company;
• Darrell Miller, Vice Pres., Controller & Treasurer, Bimbo Bakeries, USA;
• Pamela DiStefano, Head of Labor Relations KNA Supply Chain, Kellogg Company
Announcing the 2025 Winners of the
David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship
The BCTGM International proudly announces the winners of the 2025 David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship Program. The International Union awards up to five $5,000 scholarships to the children of Union members. The 2025 winners were chosen from a total of 43 applicants.
Dylan Walden, son of Derek Walden, a Local 372A (Indianapolis, Ind.) member. Dylan is attending Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.
Susan Mendoza Reyes, member of Local 13G (Hastings, Minn.).
Susan will attend Empire Beauty School in Spring Lake Park, Minn.
The BCTGM International Scholarship 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.
Marla Angela Martinez, daughter of Jesus Martinez, member of BCTGM Local 364 (Portland, Ore.). Marla is attending Portland Community College.
Brody Amthor, son of Jeremy Amthor, member of BCTGM Local 263G (Bay City, Mich.). Brody is attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.
NOW ACCEPTING 2026 David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship Applications
The 2026 David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship Program will grant five $5,000 one-time scholarship awards. One of the five scholarships may be awarded to an active, dues paying member of the BCTGM.
The International Scholarship Office must receive all applications and related forms (personal profile, academic report and essay) by March 15, 2026.
Details can be downloaded from the International’s website at bctgm.org/scholarship,
GET FORMS ONLINE!
All scholarship forms are available on the BCTGM’s website. Go to bctgm.org/ scholarship or scan the QR code! or obtained through the BCTGM International Scholarship Office (301-933-8600).
Affordable College for Union Families
BCTGM POWER is helping union families reach their education goals without breaking the budget. A college degree can provide a big boost to your career, but the high cost of a higher education puts college out of reach for many people. Being a BCTGM member makes everything better.
Union members and their family members who wish to earn a college education can access affordable options, including discounts, grants and financial aid. Earn your degree while minimizing your out-of-pocket costs.
Choose from:
Associate Degree: BCTGM Power offers a large selection of A.A. or A.S. degrees.
Bachelor’s Degree: Choose from a wide range of B.A. or B.S. degree programs.
Graduate Degree: M.B.A., M.A., M.S., Ph.D. and Combined Undergraduate to Graduate Degrees offered.
Certificates: BCTGM Power offers a long list of certificate or diploma programs.
The 2026 Union Plus Scholarship application is now open!
Students may start an application at any time and save their progress. Deadline is Jan. 31, 2026.
APPLY NOW!
Find more information on these and the Union Plus Scholarship at unionplus.org/benefits/education.
Anthony Shelton International President
David Woods International Secretary-Treasurer