BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO WORKERS AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNION

VOLUME 6 NUMBER 1

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004

BCTGM News2

President’s Messagethe

candy factory, tobacco plant or grain milling facility onthe other side of town from a BCTGM shop and see itas a threat to their contracts and the standard of livingof our members.

Organizing new members has always been adifficult challenge. It is even tougher in today’s climatewhere the laws and the politicians who write andenforce them stand hand in hand with anti-unionemployers.

Our nation’s labor laws are a travesty, leavingemployers with an unfair advantage over workers intheir efforts to join a union. The only way to change thelaws and create a level playing field is to change thepoliticians. That is why it is crucial that our membersbecome actively involved in the political process.

I am proud of how much the BCTGM hasaccomplished over the last year. And while manychallenges lie before us, we will succeed in achievingour mission because our organization is strongthroughout. We will build on the spirit of this greatunion and meet these challenges with the courage andstrength that we have demonstrated throughout ourhistory. Despite adversity, this union will continue tosecure a voice on the job for workers in our industriesand provide them with the dignity, justice and respectthey so rightly deserve.

Frank HurtBCTGM International President

Official Publication of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union

10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895-3961(301) 933-8600

www.bctgm.orgFrank Hurt, Editor

Corrina A. Christensen, Assistant Editor

BCTGM GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDPresident Frank Hurt • Secretary-Treasurer David B. Durkee • Executive Vice PresidentsJoseph Thibodeau • Larry Barber • Vice Presidents Jeanne Graham • Shawn J. Grimm •

Harry A. Guildner • Anthony L. Johnson • Richard Johnson • Sean Kelly • Michael T. Konesko • Arthur Montminy • Robert Oakley • Randy Roark •

Ronald D. Schreiber • T.J. Warren

BCTGM GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERSJoyce Alston • Edward Burpo • Randy W. Fulk • Lillian Gainer •

Oscar B. Giles • Johnny Jackson • Micheline Labrecque • Paul LaBuda • Richard Lewis • Narcisco Martas • Herbert W. Marx • Danny Murphy •

Brad Schmidt • William Sprandel • Doyle Townson

BCTGM News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain MillersInternational Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid at Kensington, MD and at addi-tional mailing offices. Subscription to new members only. Postmaster: Send address changes to BCTGM News, 10401 ConnecticutAvenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961.

“We the workers engaged in thebaking, confectionery, tobacco,grain milling, kindred and otherindustries, in order to preserve and

maintain our integrity as individuals, union members andemployees, to make a more perfect Union, to improve ourconditions, protect and serve our interests and welfare, andto establish and administer collective bargaining withemployers, do enact this Constitution.”

—Preamble, Constitution of the BCTGM

“I promise to maintain the dignity of thisorganization and to further its objectives.”

—BCTGM Membership Oath

As we look at the year ahead, there is no doubtthat our Union and membership will be challenged onall fronts—at the bargaining table, in organizingcampaigns and in the political process. Success andeffectiveness in all of these areas begin with a reneweddedication to the principles and obligations we allshare as BCTGM officers and members.

It is important to remember that bargaining,organizing and politics are very closely related. Morethan ever before, our ability to continue to securesolid contracts for workers in our industries isdependent upon our success as a union in organizingnon-union workers in our industries. The greater theunion “density” in an industry, the more difficult it isfor non-union companies to undercut the wages andbenefits at BCTGM-organized companies.

It is equally important to our Union’s long-termstrength to achieve greater “density” at thoseemployers who have both organized and unorganizedshops. An employer’s ability to shift production from aunion shop to a non-union one weakens oureffectiveness at the bargaining table. This is a growingtrend in our industries and can only be stopped in itstracks by organizing the non-union facilities.

So, the foundation for success at the bargainingtable is built in large part on our effectiveness inbringing new workers into the BCTGM. The foundersof our great Union understood this reality. That is whythey cited “organizational action” as the number oneactivity to be undertaken in order to achieve theUnion’s “Purpose” as outlined in the BCTGMConstitution (Article 1, Section 2, Clause 1).

Bringing workers into our Union is theresponsibility of every officer and member. Simply put,local unions must look at that unorganized bakery,

Achieving Our Mission in Challenging Times

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January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org 33

McComb, Ohio—In a scathingJanuary 16 ruling in favor ofworkers at Consolidated BiscuitCompany (CBC), an Adminis-trative Law Judge confirmed whatworkers had known for years: thecompany had broken the nation’slabor laws dozens of times in anattempt to keep them from join-ing the BCTGM.

In issuing his decision,Administrative Law Judge ArthurAmchan found that CBC man-agement had engaged in “egre-gious and widespread miscon-duct, demonstrating a generaldisregard for the employees’ fun-damental rights.” Judge Amchanfound the company guilty of dis-ciplining anddischargingseven CBCworkers forengaging inprotected unionactivity; ofthreateningemployees withadverse conse-quences if theychose unionrepresentation;and prohibitingdiscussion ofunion activityon companyproperty.

“We havebeen fightingand strugglingfor years to get dignity, justiceand respect at CBC and now oureffort is starting to pay off. Thisdecision proves that justice is onour side and dignity and respectwill come with a BCTGM victoryand a union contract,” notesCathy Hill, a machine operator atthe CBC plant.

“This company is a corporateoutlaw,” says BCTGMInternational President FrankHurt. “This is another important

CBC WorkersGain Victory; Judge Blasts

Companystep in our journey to provideCBC workers with a voice in theirworkplace. The solidarity of CBCworkers is inspiring and will pre-vail.”

Amchan orderedCBC to “cease anddesist in any actionsthat interfered with,restrained, or coercedthe employees exer-cise of rights guaran-teed under theNational LaborRelations Act.”Furthermore, thecompany was orderedto reinstate with fullback pay and interestto all seven wronglyfired workers.

“I was the first tobe fired for simplystanding up for ourrights as workingAmericans,” says Bill

Lawhorn, a warehouseworker. “I believe inAmerica and I believe whatCBC owner Jim Appold andhis management team havedone and continue to do toworkers is un-American.Thank God for organizedlabor and the BCTGM. Idon’t know where any of usunion supporters would bewithout the BCTGM,” addsLawhorn.

BCTGM InternationalRepresentative John Price, alongwith the attorneys representingCBC workers, successfully arguedthe case before theAdministrative Law Judge andnever wavered in his belief thatthe workers at CBC would be vin-dicated. “The workers are patientand remain vigilant and dedicat-ed to completing their mission towin representation with theBCTGM for dignity, justice andrespect,” noted Price.

In August 2002, a majority ofthe CBC workers signed authori-zation cards to become membersof the BCTGM. An election washeld on August 15, but due to theegregious violations of theNational Labor Relations Act bythe company, the majority waslost. BCTGM InternationalRepresentatives Price and WaynePurvis filed unfair labor practicecharges along with timely objec-tions to the election. After morethan six months of investigation,the U.S. National Labor RelationsBoard filed more than 40 com-plaints against the company. Afterpresenting 30 witnesses and morethan 100 exhibits, the union andthe 840 workers at CBC, pre-vailed. The judge asked that theelection of August 15, 2002, beset aside and that a new electionbe held permitting workers a “freechoice regarding bargaining repre-sentative.”

CBC workers listen to the details of theJanuary 16 decision by AdminstrativeLaw Judge Arthur Amchan.

CBC workers Russ Ish (left)and John Green (right)depart the union meetingheld by Intl. Rep. JohnPrice to announce theJudge’s decision. Bothmen are among the sevenunion supporters fired byCBC for union activity whowill now get their jobsback with full back pay.

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BCTGM News4 BCTGM News

The BCTGM was well represent-ed among the thousands of unionmembers and activists who con-verged in Miami on November 20as trade ministers from 34Western Hemisphere countriesmet to create the world’s largestfree-trade zone—the Free TradeArea of the Americas (FTAA).

Often called “NAFTA onSteroids,” the FTAA would elimi-nate trade barriers for all NorthAmerican, South American andCaribbean countries exceptCuba. The North American FreeTrade Agreement (NAFTA)applies only to the U.S., Canadaand Mexico. Estimates are thatthe FTAA would cost ten timesmore job loss than NAFTA.

The FTAA negotiations inMiami were pushing to dramati-cally extend the scope of NAFTAto include more types of trade.Every part of the American econ-omy would be impacted byFTAA. As part of a new genera-tion of trade deals that specifical-ly targets the types of laws wecan pass, the FTAA will threatenmany of our current environmen-

BCTGM Rallies to Stop FTAA

tal, worker, human rights andhealth and safety protections asbeing illegal barriers to free trade.

“The FTAA is yet another job-destroying free trade agreementthat will undermine workers’rights here and around the worldand continue the race to thebottom for workers. America’sworkers have already lost morethan 2.5 million manufacturingjobs under President Bush, andhundreds of thousands of jobs tofailed trade agreements,” con-cludes BCTGM InternationalPresident Frank Hurt.

Among the tens of thousandstraveling to Miami were BCTGMmembers from Minnesota andNorth Dakota. BCTGM Local135G (Grand Forks, N.D.) mem-ber Mark Froemke, who is alsopresident of the Northern ValleyLabor Council, AFL-CIO, in EastGrand Forks, Minn. helpedspearhead the long journey fromthe Great Plains to Miami. “Jobsare being eliminated. There is alot of pressure on the workers toproduce more with less. TheFTAA will only make mattersworse.”

Workers and their allies aremobilizing for the next battle inthe struggle for fair trade: tostop the Central American Free

Trade Agreement (CAFTA), signed December 17 by the UnitedStates and four Central American countries. Costa Rica, therichest Central American country, opted out of the treaty overconcerns about U.S. demands that the nation open up its serv-ice industries. The Bush Administration plans to present thedeal to Congress as soon as March.

CAFTA, which does not include protections for workers’right to form a union or safe work conditions, is another steptoward passage of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)and future bilateral and regional agreements. CAFTA is the firstbilateral or regional agreement the Bush Administration haspushed since fierce opposition from workers in North and

South America and their community allies stymied trade min-isters in November from consolidating FTAA, which wouldeliminate tariffs from 34 countries with a population of morethan 800 million.

If approved, CAFTA would eliminate tariffs from the UnitedStates, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras andNicaragua. It would extend to Central America the disastrousjob loss and environmental damage caused by 10 years of theNorth American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). U.S. workerslost 879,280 jobs and real wages in Mexico have fallen as aresult of NAFTA in the past 10 years, according to the nonprofitEconomic Policy Institute. Recent reports by Human RightsWatch and the National Labor Committee have highlighted howworkers in Central America are often denied such basic rightsas the right to organize and bargain collectively. Yet, the BushAdministration has refused to include workers’ rights in CAFTA.

Another FlawedTrade Deal

BCTGM members from Locals 264G (East Grand Forks, Minn.), 135G(Grand Forks, N.D.), 326G (Drayton, N.D.) and 267G (Crookston,Minn.) prepare for the march against FTAA in Miami on Nov. 20.

Ralph MoxleyPresident Local 242GLocation: Beta Brands,London, Ont.Product: Crackers andCandy“Standing together is thebest benefit to all of us.When you belong to theunion no one is ever dealing with just you—they aredealing with the union as a whole. We all standtogether.”

Patricia SmithFinancial Secretary Local 531Location: Earthgrains/Sara Lee, London, Ky.Product: Bread and Buns“Union workers have unionsecurity. We have betterhours and working condi-tions. Our wages are better and we have vacations.Union members also have better health coverage andpensions.”

Patrick J. IdenFinancial Secretary Local 3GLocation: Kellogg, BattleCreek, Mich.Product: Cereal“Union members receivehigher wages, benefits andenjoy a safer working envi-ronment. Union membersalso have job advancement by tenure, which helps toeliminate discrimination. You will have a voicethrough the voting process to elect who representsyou and what your wages and benefits will be.”

Ted ConstableBusiness Agent Local 358Location: Kraft,Richmond, Va.Product: Premium/Ritz/Oreo/Nilla/Chips Ahoy“Job security. Yearly wageincreases. Pension. Betterbenefits and working condi-tions. The representation of workers against the cor-porate machine. Seniority rights and the support ofunion benefit programs.”

5January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org

L O C A L U N I O N L E A D E R S P O T L I G H T

Explain the benefits of BCTGM membership to a non-union worker:Tim ChurchFinancial Secretary Local 54GLocation: Cargill, Albany,N.Y.Product: Flour“Higher pay rate. Betterwages. Better conditions inthe workplace and Unionrights.”

George W. SullivanPresident Local 280Location: Lewis Bakery,Murfreesboro, Tenn.Product: Bread and Buns“Access to information onworkers rights! Knowing thatyou are not alone when youare dealing with the company.”

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACTOn November 21, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Representative George Miller (D-Calif.) introduced theEmployee Free Choice Act (S. 1925 and H.R. 3619). The legislation provides for card-check recognition of a union whenthe majority of workers voluntarily sign authorization cards, first contract mediation and arbitration after 90 days, if bar-gaining has been unsuccessful, and new meaningful penalties against employers who unlawfully violate their employees’right to form a union. Currently more than 26 senators and 113 representatives are co-sponsoring the bills.

Call your U.S. senators at 202-224-3121 and U.S. representative at 202-225-3121, and urge them to co-sponsor the EFCA.Or, email your members of Congress at www.bctgm.org and join the campaign to ensure workers have a fairchance to win a voice on the job.

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BCTGM News6

In 48 of the 50 states, jobs in higher-paying indus-tries have given way to jobs in lower-paying indus-tries since the recession ended in November 2001(see map). Nationwide, industries that are gainingjobs relative to industries that are losing jobs pay 21percent less annually. For the 30 states that havelost jobs since the recession purportedly ended, thisis the other shoe dropping—not only have jobs beenlost, but in 29 states the losses have been concen-trated in higher paying sectors. And for 19 of the 20states that have seen some small gain in jobs sincethe end of the recession, the jobs gained have beendisproportionately in lower-paying sectors.

States with particularly worrisome job markets—where there have been substantial declines in thenumber of jobs and where the difference in wagesbetween job-gaining and job-losing industries isparticularly high—include:

• New Hampshire, which still has fewer jobsthan when the recession ended, and where thewages in industries gaining jobs are 35 percentlower than wages in industries losing jobs.

• Delaware, which, likewise, has lost jobs sincethe recession ended and where job-gaining indus-tries have wages 43 percent below those in job-los-ing industries.

• Colorado, which has lost almost two percentof its jobs since the end of the recession and where

Jobs shift from higher-paying to lower-paying industries

Wage inequality—the gap between America’s highest andlowest earners—has started widening again, according tonew data from the Labor Department.

The data show that after adjustment for inflation, salaries ofthe country’s lowest-paid workers—those who fall justinside the bottom ten percent of the pay range—fell 0.3percent last year from 2002. Meanwhile, the salaries of thehighest paid workers—those who are just inside the topten percent—were unchanged. The numbers continue amovement to greater wage inequality that began when theeconomy slid into recession three years ago.

The trend represents a reversal from the late 1990s, whenthe lowest unemployment rates in a generation hadenabled the lowest-paid workers to keep pace with thoseat the top. According to Jared Bernstein, an economistfrom the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, “Right

now we have far more job seekers than jobs and workersjust lack the bargaining power to push for a larger slice ofthe growing pie. It’s a recipe for higher inequality.”

However, according to a separate Labor Departmentreport, the average paycheck of union members grewthree percent last year from 2002, while the average week-ly paycheck of non-union members grew just two percent.

“Union members in low-wage occupations on average earn agreat deal more than non-union workers in the same occupa-tions, often lifting their earnings rates above the officialpoverty level,” notes BCTGM International President Frank Hurt.

“Union workers also often gain better benefits, includinghealth insurance and pensions. While unionization may notbe a total cure, union membership can go a long waytoward worker self-sufficiency in today’s economy.”

U.S. Wage Gap Widens—Again

job-gaining industry wages are 35 percent below thewages in job-losing industries.

• West Virginia, which has lost 1.7 percent ofits jobs since the end of the recession and wherewages in job-gaining industries are 33 percentbelow wages in job-losing industries.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, theshift in jobs from higher-paying industries to lower-paying industries has affected nearly every state.This dynamic has the potential to significantly slowthe growth of living standards for working families.

States where jobs in higher-paying industries have shifted to lower-paying industries, end of the recession through November 2003

States with employment shift to lower-paying industries

Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics

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January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org 7

...But Solutions Are Available◆ Fair trade policies that reduce trade deficit

◆ Universal healthcare system

◆ Punishment to companies that moveproduction out of U.S.

◆ Government commitment to “made in America”

◆ Stronger labor laws to re-establish middle-class.

BUSH’S MANUFACTURING FAILUREAccording to the Department ofLabor, almost three millionfactory jobs have been lost in theUnited States since George W.Bush became President. Tens ofthousands of these layoffs havecome in the food, grain andtobacco sectors. Labor leaders,community activists, local, stateand federal politi-cians have allasked the BushAdministration tocome up with apolicy that wouldstop the hemor-rhaging of manu-facturing employ-ment in thecountry.

On January16, two daysbefore the Democratic Iowacaucus, Com-merce SecretaryDonald Evans announced theAdministration’s answer to themanufacturing crisis: tax cutsfor the rich, tax cuts for corpo-rations, subsidies for corpora-tions, an energy bill subsidizingcorporations, and tax code

changes favoring corporationsand investors. The report alsosuggests that the U.S. mustaggressively support unlimitedfree-trade, must cut healthcarecosts, and must roll-back “bur-densome regulations.”

According to BCTGMInternational President Frank

Hurt there is nothing in the rec-ommendations that would detercompanies from shipping jobsout of the country. “Instead ofsaving or creating well-paidmanufacturing employment,these initiatives will further

erode this country’s manufactur-ing base while adding dollars tocorporation’s profit margin,” saidHurt.

The BCTGM, along with theAFL-CIO and other unions, arepursuing an agenda that actuallyhelps working people, thatcreates well-paid manufacturing

jobs, andimproves thecountry’s manu-facturing founda-tion. According toHurt, thatincludes fundinga national health-care system,which will savecorporations andindividualsmoney; support-ing fair tradepolicies, whichwill aid workersin the U.S. and

overseas; and achieving a bal-ance between productivity gainsand job creation. “These are pro-posals that would stabilize man-ufacturing employment and savethis country’s middle-class,” saidHurt.

The ManufacturingCrisis is Real...Job Loss: 2.7 million since 2001

Wage Loss: Hourly Earnings adjusted for infla-tion have fallen 9% since 1978

Trade Deficit: The U.S. imports more than itexports. In 2002 that difference was worth$458 billion.

Healthcare: Premiums growing at a rate of 10%.

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Company. In 2003,NECCO built a new816,000-sqare-footfacility in Revere,Mass. and consolidated its head-quarters and the threeMassachusetts production plantsto the location. Thanks to negotia-tions in 2002, all workers at thenew location are members of Local348. During the peak confectionery

BCTGM News8

For more than 45 years, BCTGMmembers have helped make theNew England ConfectioneryCompany (NECCO) one ofAmerica’s best-loved candy com-panies. From the company’s top-selling conversation hearts andMary Jane peanut butter chews,to chocolate candy bars andsugar buttons, the skill and dedi-cation of Local 348(Framingham, Mass.) membersemployed by the company isreflected in the quality of theproducts.

BCTGM Local 348 had repre-sented workers at the company’sformer Cambridge, Mass. pro-duction facility since 1958. Inthe last few years, NECCO pur-chased non-union candy compa-nies Durand Candy andHaviland Confectionery

Headquarters: Revere, Mass.

Sales: $100 million

Products: Sugar lozenges, sugarmints, conversation hearts,chocolate bars, sugar “buttons”,salt water taffy, malted milkballs, panned products, thinchocolate mints, peanut clus-ters, peanut butter candies,caramels, candy coating,caramel pop, chocolate chips,nonpareils, boxed chocolates,and gummies.

Brands: NECCO, Mary Jane, SkyBar, Sweethearts, Haviland, EagleBrand, Mighty Malts, Clark Bar,Canada, Masterpieces, CandyCupboard, Stinky Feet, Ultra,Slap Stix, Candy House, GooseEggs, Kettle Fresh, Sweet Talk.

Sweet Times at NECCO

Necco At-a-Glance

season, the Revere plant willemploy 700 BCTGM members.

According to Secretary-Treasurerand Director of Organization DavidB. Durkee, “This massive plant hasample room to expand and asNECCO continues to make acquisi-tions, our union membership at thefacility will contin-ue to grow.”

Angeles Colon(back) and VitoriaErroa (front) packMighty MaltsMalted Milk Balls.

Line Inspector Dora Mejiachecks Clark Junior Wafers.

Marie Clergeau packsNECCO Theater Boxes.

MachineOperatorRosalinaErazo wrapsSky Bars.

Ismael Rosafeeds theMighty MaltEaster Eggwrapper.

Morena Diaz operatesthe Clark Bar machine.

January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org 9

1849 Domenico Ghirardelli sails to California and opens his firstAmerican confectionery shop—located in a tent, it’s oneof the first shops in Stockton, Calif.

1894 Milton S. Hershey of Lancaster, Pa. introduces thefirst Hershey milk chocolate bar.

1896 Tootsie Rolls debut, introduced by Leo Hirshfield of NewYork who named them after his daughter’s nickname, “Tootsie.”

1901 Pastel-colored little candy disks called NECCO wafers first appearnamed for the acronym of the New England Confectionery Company.

1902 Necco makes the first conversation hearts—tiny Valentine’s Day favoriteswith messages printed on them.

1906 Hershey’s Kisses chocolates appear in their familiar foil wraps.

1920 The Baby Ruth candy bar is first sold, named for President GroverCleveland’s daughter—not the famous baseball player.

1921 Charles See arrived in Los Angeles from Canada and openedthe first See’s Candies shop and kitchen.

1922 Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews are first made inPhiladelphia.

1936 The 5th Avenue Bar originated by William H. Luden.

1938 Nestle Crunch Bar/Nestle.

1939 Hershey’s Miniatures chocolate bars debut.

1943 Mike & Ike/Just Born.

1950 Hot Tamales/Just Born.

1953 Marshmallow Peeps are introduced by JustBorn in the shape of Easter chicks.

1976 Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Introduced by Herman GoelitzCandy Company.

1980 Goelitz introduces the first American-made gummy bears and gummy worms.

1996 Zingos, another one of several strong mint introductions, is created by Brown &Haley.

C A N D Y T I M EA list of vintage BCTGM candy brands in chronological

order of when they were introduced in America.

BCTGM News10

The following BCTGM local unions completedshop stewards training in 2003:

1 (Chicago), 111 (Dallas, Tex.), 118 (Washington,D.C.), 163 (Houston, Tex.), 203T (Richmond, Va.),218 (Kansas City, Mo.), 229T (Concord, N.C.), 25(Chattanooga, Tenn.), 252G (Memphis, Tenn.),253 (Cincinnati, Ohio), 280 (Evansville, Ind.),284G (Napa, Id.), 2T (Wheeling, W.Va.), 321T

(Richmond), 326 (Detroit, Mich.), 334 (Portland,Me.), 346 (Ft. Smith, Ark.), 348 (Framingham,Mass.), 36G (Buffalo, N.Y.), 389 (Winnipeg, M.B.),406 (Moncton, N.B.), 434 (Macon, Ga.), 446(Halifax, N.S.), 503 (Charlotte, N.C.), 531 (London,Ky.), 57 (Columbus, Ohio), 600 (Columbus, Ga.),68 (Baltimore, Md.), 69 (Port Chester, N.Y.), 70(Grand Rapids, Mich.), 719 (Fairlawn, N.J.).

From Moncton, New Brunswick to London,Kentucky, shop stewards from BCTGM local

unions throughout North America attended educa-tion training programs designed to strengthen andbuild their skills as union representatives.

In 2003, the International co-sponsored 31 localtraining programs in the U.S. and Canada. Stewardsfocused on developing their union skills in grievancehandling, arbitration, collective bargaining andorganizing. Working collectively, the stewards brain-storm goals and develop action plans to take back to

their local unions following the program’s conclusion.The education programs are primarily conducted by Regional Education Coordinators and/or Vice

Presidents andRepresentatives. Wheneverpossible, the training involvesthose who service a specificfacility or local. This allowslocal union training to be moreclosely related to actual servic-ing and bargaining experi-ences.

Pictured on this page arescenes from some of the train-ing programs held in 2003.

LOCAL UNIONS TAKE PART IN STEWARDS’ TRAINING PROGRAMS

Steward TrainingPrograms BuildSkills as UnionRepresentatives

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January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org

On December 18, after a three-year fight to join the BCTGM,workers at Sara Lee’s ReddingFrench bakery in Redding, Calif.reaffirmed their commitment andonce again voted BCTGM YES!

The BCTGM had won thisorganizing election in 2001, how-ever, the company challengedthe election and tied up theunion in court for the past twoyears. The organizing campaignwas lead by InternationalRepresentative & OrganizerMarco Mendoza, assisted byInternational Representative &Organizer Blaine Williams andwas led on the local level byLocal 85’s Financial Secretary &Organizer Marty Zimmerman.This is a continuation of thestaunch anti-union activity bySara Lee’s baking division.

The organizing team over-came cultural and language bar-riers to organize the workers, themajority of whom are Asian

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Judge Orders New Election At Sara LeeFinding that Sara Lee “engaged in objectionable conduct,” the National Labor Relations Board hasordered a new election to be held at the company’s Vernon, California facility. BCTGM Local 37(Los Angeles), which had successfully signed a majority of authorization cards amongst the plant’s330 employees, filed for an election in April. In mid-July, after very questionable conduct by SaraLee managers, the union lost the election. However, Local 37 immediately filed unfair labor prac-tice charges against Sara Lee for behavior that violated the National Labor Relations Act.

In his December ruling, Administrative Law Judge Gregory Meyerson ordered Sara Lee torehire a worker who had been terminated due to his union support; directed the company tocease and desist all coercion, threatening actions, and interference in respect to workers’ legal-ly protected right to organize a union; and ordered a new election to be held in the new year.

In his opinion, Meyerson wrote that “these were significant unfair labor practices, whichwould clearly have the tendency to seriously inhibit the employee’s willingness to engage inunion activity, and would likely have created an atmosphere unconducive to a free anduntrammeled choice by the employees.”

Sara Lee Workers Win Three-yearFight to Unionization

Mien. Working with-in the Asian Miencommunity ofNorthern California,Mendoza was able tocommunicate withthe workers and as aresult, gained theirtrust and support.

“This is a veryimportant victory forthese workers,”notes Mendoza.“The company triedevery trick in thebook to block their right to join aunion. Management took advan-tage of these workers by routine-ly threatening, harassing andintimidating these workers intothinking they had no rights. Witha BCTGM union contract, wewill protect their rights and givethem the dignity, justice andrespect they so rightly deserve,”concludes Mendoza.

Sara Lee Redding French

worker Floyd Brown, a solidBCTGM supporter and memberof the organizing team, turned 72years old on December 17. As anon-union worker, he has notaccumulated a pension in hismany years working. “Becominga member of the BCTGM andbeing able to enjoy the manybenefits of being a part of theunion is the greatest birthday giftI’ve ever received.”

The Sara Lee organizing committee: from left toright, (first row) Local 85 (Sacramento, Calif.)Bus. Agnt. Marty Zimmerman, Intl. Rep. MarcoMendoza, worker Floyd Brown, Intl. Rep. BlaineWilliams, (second row) workers Seang Saechao,Nai Seachao, Sou Pou Saelor, Kouei chin, E Chan Saelee, and (kneeling) Mike Rech.

BCTGM News12

In light of the recent cor-porate scandal to hitItalian food and dairy

giant Parmalat Finanzieri, thelabour movement is asking whygovernment regulators, on bothsides of the ocean, were not moreaware of the company’s financialirregularities. Parmalat, bestknown in Canada for such popu-lar brands as Beatrice, Parkay,Astro and Colonial, came underinternational scrutiny in mid-December after it was reportedthat the company had overstatedits earnings by $5 billion (U.S.).That figure has now increased toover $18 billion (U.S.).

The question that organizedlabour has voiced, is what hap-pens to Parmalat workers now?

While the media focusses on theimpact on investors and itslabrynthian accounting system,36,000 Parmalat workers, includ-ing more than 200 BCTGM mem-bers in California (Local 125) andIllinois (Local 4), are asking howsuch financial manipulation couldelude government regulators onboth sides of the ocean? And thehundreds of thousands of workersin the food, and tobacco sectors inNorth America are wondering willtheir company be next?

Of great importance toCanadian workers and theirunion representatives is that fed-eral oversight of corporatefinances remain stringentenough to protect the hundredsof thousands of manufacturing

workers who produce the goodsCanadian citizens enjoy eachday. In light of the recent corpo-rate scandals south of the borderat World Com, Enron and Tyco,that left employees helpless, theBCTGM is urging the federal andprovincial governments inCanada to remain vigilant intheir oversight of corporations’finances. According to BCTGMInternational President FrankHurt, it is essential that theCanadian government protectworkers interests, not just thoseof corporations. “The govern-ment must ensure that auditorsare properly monitored, that cor-porate governance practices areimproved, and most importantly,that those criminals who skirtsecurities laws, are prosecutedto the fullest extent,” said Hurt.

While the federal governmenthas taken steps to deal with sev-eral of these issues, many work-ers are still afraid they couldbecome victims of their employ-ers greed. A recent year-end pollsuggested that two-thirds ofCanadians believe that the recentscandals are the result of greedyexecutives exploiting a failing reg-ulatory system. According toBCTGM Intl. Vice President SeanKelly, pressure must be exertedon the prime ministers office.“Ultimately, the responsibility isPaul Martin’s, and it is essentialthat he show leadership in thisarea. Too many jobs are atstake,” noted Kelly.

Hundreds of workers at three different companies in the province ofQuebec have chosen the BCTGM to represent their interests. SeanKelly, BCTGM Intl. Vice President says that for many of these workers,the choice was easy. “These workers understand the high level of rep-resentation our members receive, and they also see the economicbenefits of joining the BCTGM ranks,” stated Kelly. In Quebec City,approximately 60 workers at Bagel Traditionelle, a subsidiary ofGeorge Weston Bakeries, signed on with Local 480 (Ste-Marie). Thiswas an important strategic organizing win since the BCTGM currentlyrepresents over 5,000 Weston workers across North America.

The Weston victory followed two other organizing wins in Quebec. InVallee Gonction, approximately 85 workers at Pro-Fab joined Local480. Workers at Pro-Fab make prefabricated housing for the Quebecmarket. In addition, Local 333 (Montreal) organized 40 workers at theComfort Inn, located in Laval.

BCTGM Calls on Vigilant GovernmentOversight of Corporations

Quebec Workers Choose BCTGM

January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org

Toronto—The more than1,000 delegates to the7th Biennial Convention

of the Ontario Federation ofLabour (OFL) November 24-28pledged their support for unionjobs in Canada’s tobacco industry.

A delegation of eight BCTGMmembers from Locals 323T(Guelph, Ont.), 154G(London,Ont.), 364T (Aylmer,Ont.) and 327G (Bramalea, Ont.)submitted a resolution to theconvention body that asked theconvention to “endorse the prin-ciple that while tobacco remainsa legal product, Canadian unionworkers should produce it.” TheBCTGM resolution resolved thatthe OFL “assist tobacco industryaffiliates in maintaining theirjobs and achieving just transitionfor workers who have lost their

jobs because of government poli-cies and attacks upon unionworkers.”

Reflecting on the convention,Local 323T President RonCostigan noted, “It was a great

13

OFL Convention Pledges Support forTobacco Industry Jobs

— A T T E N T I O N —APPLICANTS TO THE

2004 BCTGM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMThe deadline for applications to the BCTGM 2004 International Scholarship pro-gram has passed. All those who submitted an application prior to the January 31deadline date are reminded to submit the following requirements prior tothe March 31 deadline for requirements:

• Personal Profile—completed by the applicant

• Academic Report—completed by the high school (or college, if amember). The report should reflect the first semester grades for the senioryear (or more recent academic performance, if a member).

ESSAY—Each applicant is required to write and submit an essay (250-500words) to demonstrate your ability to organize thoughts and express yourself.Your essay may be one of the following:

• Same essay as the essay requirement from your college application.

• Same essay as the Union Plus Scholarship application (U.S. applicants only).

• Essay on “Organized Labor’s Contribution to the Welfare of thePeople of North America.”

• SAT or ACT Scores (if applicable)

For more information contact the BCTGM InternationalScholarship Office at 301/933-8600.

feeling of solidarity to get thisresolution passed. Because eventhose unions and individuals atthe convention who may not besupportive of tobacco, thePRODUCT, wanted to supportthe principle of keeping goodunion jobs in Canada—regard-less of the industry.”

The OFL represents 650,000organized workers in Ontarioand provides its affiliated labourcouncils and local unions withservices in communications,education, health care, healthand safety, research, legislativeand political action, humanrights, and women’s rights. TheOFL biennial convention is thepolicy-making body of the OFL.

Delegates to the conventionwere Local 323T President RonCostigan, 323T 2nd Vice PresidentBill Foster, 323T member DougDix, 154G President JohnParachuck, Local 364T membersRick Stevens, Bob Thompson andRobert Dooks, and Local 327GPresident Tom Winstone.

At the OFLConventionBCTGM Local364T member(Aylmer, Ont.)Frank Kostal(left) and Local323T (Guelph,Ont.) 2nd VicePresident BillFoster (right)staff thetobacco coali-tion table set upby the BCTGMdelegation.

BCTGM News14

BCTGM executive officers, vice presidents and repre-

sentatives met in Las Vegas in January

for the International’s annual staff

meeting. The purpose of the event,

according to International President

Frank Hurt, is to gather for a review

of the past year, discuss the union’s

future goals and sharpen the skills

and strategies the BCTGM needs to

accomplish such goals.

Staff members discuss the state

of the economy—in the U.S. and

Canada—and its effect on workers,

including BCTGM members. Staff

members also reported on recent

organizing campaign successes and progress in

ongoing campaigns throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Hurt reminded the staff that it is the responsibili-

ty of everyone to “invite non-union workers into our

union. There is a future for this organization and the

only way to ensure that future is

to organize—or we will not

survive.”

A key part of the meeting

included a daylong mock contract

negotiation. Staff members were

divided into two separate teams to

represent the union committee

and the company. Issues tackled at

the table included health care, pension, safety and

more.

“At the bargaining table we have a responsibility

to make sure we protect the standard of living they

won through union representation. This is the mis-

sion of the BCTGM as defined by our Constitution,”

concluded Hurt.

2004 International Staff Meeting HighlightsOrganizing and Bargaining Skills

BCTGM Intl. Pres.Frank Hurt out-lines the agendaof the week-longstaff meeting.

Intl. Vice Pres. Tony Johnsonexplains White Lily victory.

Intl. Rep. JohnPrice reports onConsolidatedBiscuit Co. NLRBhearings.

Staff members participate in a day-long mock negoti-ating session.

Secy.-Treas./Director ofOrganization David B. Durkee(right) and Intl. Rep. MarcoMendoza (left) detail the suc-cessful end to the Sara LeeRedding French organizing drive.

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January/February 2004 www.bctgm.org 15

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Printed in U.S.A.

George W. Bush’s Worker Scorecard

SUBJECTGRADEFAIRTRADE

FOVERTIMEFERGONOMICSFMEDICAREFSOCIAL SECURITYFMINIMUM WAGEFHEALTH CAREF

THE BUSH REPORT CARD

When it comes to issues important to America’s workers, George W. Bush simply fails the grade.Some of his anti-worker/anti-union policies include:

■ Elimination of overtime and the 40-hour workweek;■ Killing the OSHA ergonomics standard that was 10 years in the making;■ Ignoring worker rights and the environment in trade deals;■ Using Taft-Hartley to intervene in union negotiations;■ Burdening labor with up to $1 billion annually in new reporting rules;■ Rescinding strict reporting requirements for union-busting consultants and attorneys;■ Repealing worker protection and labor-management relation rules;■ Big tax breaks to the wealthy, peanuts to workers; and,■ Efforts to weaken and privatize Medicare and Social Security.