BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO WORKERS AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNION

HOLD

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VOLUME 5 NUMBER 6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003

B & C HEALTH BENEFITS AND PENSION FUNDS SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORTS, PAGES 12 & 13

theHOLD

LINEon Workers’

Health Care Costs!

BCTGM News2

President’s Messagethe

the bottom. And cheap labor conservatives couldn’tbe happier. Without a change in course and leader-ship in Washington, workers will see their standardof living and quality of life erode.

The BCTGM does not intend to stand by andwatch this deterioration continue. That is why theBCTGM has taken the historic step of endorsingCongressman Richard Gephardt for President in 2004.

We believe Dick Gephardt offers the greatesthope for renewed prosperity for working families.He will usher in a new era of respect for workersand the legitimate rights of organized labor. Hislong and distinguished record proves that he under-stands the importance of raising the standard of liv-ing of working families through strong and effectivelabor unions.

For nearly 30 years, Dick Gephardt has cultivat-ed a base of supporters comprised of the people herepresents—the working men and women of thisland. Whenever working families depended on astrong and effective voice in Congress to fight forthem, no one performed better than Dick Gephardt.

Ending the reign of the cheap labor conserva-tives in Washington is a top priority of the BCTGM.Nothing less than the well-being of our membersand the future of this union are on the line.

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.

As American workers preparefor the holidays, we know thateconomic revitalization andjob creation are desperately

needed in our country if there is to be a prosperousNew Year. Despite indications that the economy isshowing some signs of life, unemployment levelsremain very high and manufacturing employerscontinue to lay off workers, eliminate shifts, closeplants and move production out of the UnitedStates to low-wage countries.

At the same time, employers are challengingworkers on the health care issue more harshly thanever before. They want more out of our members’paychecks for health insurance, and in some casesa lot more.

Employers refuse to recognize that our membershave already paid for their share of health carecosts by taking less in wage and pension increases.The BCTGM will continue to meet this challengehead on in negotiations. We should not pay twicefor health care coverage.

The hardship facing American workers, includ-ing BCTGM members, is not simply the result of the“business cycle.” I recently read an article, “CheapLabor Conservatives,” that sheds a bright light onwhat is really taking place in the economy andsocial fabric of this country.

Cheap labor conservatives are the defenders ofcorporate America, whose fortunes depend on thelabor of others. They believe in social hierarchy andprivilege and prosperity for a select few. The uglytruth is that cheap labor conservatives don’t wantanything that benefits those who work for an hourlywage because they don’t like or respect workingpeople. And, they detest labor unions.

The Bush Administration, the leadership inCongress and their allies in big business are cheaplabor conservatives. Just look at their record: morefree trade agreements, opposition to increases in theminimum wage, elimination of overtime pay, and theharassment and undermining of labor unions.Additionally, they express vehement opposition tochanges in American labor law that would make iteasier for workers to join unions and improve theirwages and benefits. They support tax policies thatshift the burden from the wealthy to working families.

American workers are being forced into a race to

Taking on the Cheap Labor Conservatives

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November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 33

Knoxville, Tenn.—A unique com-bination of tenacity and solidari-ty brought victory to locked outmembers of BCTGM Local 165Gat White Lily Foods Co. when asettlement was reached allowingworkers to return to their jobswith their heads held high and asatisfactory union contract.

Following marathon negotia-tions between theBCTGM and WhiteLily FoodsCompany, onOctober 30 anagreement wasreached and allissues were resolved.The dispute beganon July 24 whencontract negotiationsbroke down and thecompany locked outthe 68 union mem-bers at its Knoxvilleplant. At the centerof the lockout wasthe company’sdemand that work-ers accept higherhealth care deductibles, no pen-sion increase, forced overtimeand low wage increases.

Local 165G members, whosecontract expired May 31, votedoverwhelmingly to accept theimproved proposal and return towork on November 3. The agree-ment includes an increase inpension and wages, limits onovertime, no reduction in jobclassifications and no increase inhealth care premiums.

Union members at theKnoxville facility make WhiteLily and Pioneer brand flour and

Solidarity Campaign Brings Victory for White Lily Workers

mixes for muffins, brownies, bis-cuits and other dry mix products.The company suppliesMcDonald’s, Waffle House,Kroger, Hardees, Wal-Mart andFood City. The company’s drymix products are sold in grocerystores throughout the U.S.

Throughout the lockout, unionmembers and supporters distrib-

uted handbills atthese stores todiscourage thesale or use of thecompany’s prod-ucts. In late sum-mer, the campaign was takennationwide and BCTGMInternational Vice Presidents,Representatives and local unionmembers handbilled the outletswithin their respective communi-ties and the fight of the Knoxvilleworkers gained national attention.

“The strength and determina-tion of the Local 165G members

combined with the overwhelmingsolidarity from their union broth-ers and sisters throughout thecountry ultimately won thisfight,” notes BCTGM Inter-national President Frank Hurt.

According to InternationalVice President Tony Johnson,“Throughout this entire ordeal,the workers’ solidarity never

wavered. It was atremendous victory forthem and we couldn’thave done it withoutthe remarkable supportof BCTGM membersthroughout the coun-try.”

“We returned towork with pride,” says

Local 165GPresident DavidWoods. “We wonbecause we wereright. And wefought this fightnot only for our-selves and ourfamilies but for thefuture workers ofthis company.”

Summarizingthe importance ofthe union’s victory,Local 165G mem-ber Thurmond

Kinnebrew concludes, “I’vespent 35 years with this uniontrying to improve the quality oflife and raise the standard of liv-ing for our families. This fightwas about not letting White Lilytake away from their workers.I’m proud to be union and Iwasn’t about to let them takethat away from me.”

Locked out members of Local165G at White Lily receivedtremendous support from theKnoxville community. Picturedhere are members and theirsupporters during recent rallies.

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About 700 BCTGM membersemployed in bakeries at grocerystores throughout SouthernCalifornia are honoring the pick-et lines of more than 70,000members of the United Food andCommercial Workers (UFCW)on strike fighting to save afford-able health care.

“The fight for health care forevery worker is here today. The firehas started in our hearts and wemust not let it go out. Every work-

er in America has theright to affordable andquality health care forthemselves and theirfamilies. Sooner ratherthan later, a solution forthe health care problemwill be found. The solu-tion is not cost shiftingto workers. The solu-

tion is a national health careplan,” BCTGM InternationalPresident Frank Hurt said duringthe October 30 “Hold the Line forHealth Care” press conference.

Hurt joined AFL-CIOPresident John Sweeney,UFCW President DougDority and a number of

other labor,women’s, and civilrights groups inannouncing the cre-ation of the Hold theLine for Health CareStrike Fund. Theeffort is intended toprovide emergency

relief to striking workersand their families, as wellas to those workers hon-oring the picket lines.

‘Hold the Linefor America’sHealth Care’

UFCW members are on strike orlocked out at Vons (Safeway),Ralphs (Kroger) and Albertsons inSouthern California. Members ofBCTGM Local 31 (Long Beach),Local 37 (Los Angeles) and Local315 (San Diego) are honoring thestrike.

“The BCTGM will supportthis fight for as long as it takes. Iencourage our members through-out the U.S. to support strikingworkers by not shopping atSafeway, Albertsons and Krogersuntil this strike is settled,” con-cludes Hurt.

BCTGM Members ofLocals 31 (LongBeach), 37 (LosAngeles) and 315(San Diego) inSouthern Calif. arehonoring the picketlines of about70,000 UFCW mem-bers on strike orlocked out at Vons,Ralphs andAlbertsons grocerystores. Pictured hereare members ofBCTGM Local 315with striking workersat Vons.

“The solution is not cost shiftingto workers. The solution is anational health care plan.”

BCTGM InternationalPresident Frank Hurt

November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 5

DDeclaring that the nation desper-ately needs a new economicdirection, the BCTGM on October8 announced its endorsement ofCongressman Richard Gephardtfor President in 2004.

BCTGM Inter-national PresidentFrank Hurt praisedGephardt for his 27years in Congressin which he has ledthe fight for work-ers and their fami-lies. “The BCTGM takes greatpride in endorsing Dick Gephardtfor President. He has earned thisendorsement through a lifetime ofpublic service to working families.Dick Gephardt is a man of greatintegrity and he shares the valuesand principles upon which ourunion has been built.

Upon receiving the BCTGM’sendorsement Gephardt said,“The fight for working families isin my bones. I’m honored tohave the support of the Bakery,Confectionery, Tobacco Workersand Grain Millers InternationalUnion. Together we’re going torun a winning campaign outlin-ing bold, new ideas to lift thislagging economy for middle classfamilies, create jobs and providequality health insurance to everyAmerican that cannot be takenaway,” stated Gephardt.

Gephardt has a lifelong histo-ry of fighting for working families.Hurt reflected on Gephardt’s pro-worker/pro-union record inannouncing the union’s supportfor his presidential candidacy.“Congressman Gephardt’sunyielding commitment toimproving the standard of living

■ On TRADE: He led the fight in Congress against NAFTA, Fast Track,the FTAA and other trade deals that would close plants and shiftproduction out of the U.S.;

■ On PAYCHECK PROTECTION: Gephardt made it a priority todefeat California’s Prop. 226, the “Paycheck Destruction” ballot ini-tiative;

■ On ANTI-UNION INITIATIVES: The Bush Administration hasrolled back worker protections across the board—from weaken-ing the NLRB to overturning OSHA regulations. It was MinorityLeader Dick Gephardt who stemmed the Republican tide through-out the 1990s—making sure several anti-labor legislative initiativesnever saw the light of day;

■ On the RIGHT TO ORGANIZE: Congressman Gephardt fought pro-posed “anti-salting” legislation. Also during the 106th Congress, hefought Republican proposals that would have allowed companiesto reject job applicants who they believed were trying to organize;

■ On DAVIS BACON and STRIKER REPLACEMENT: Gephardtfought Republican efforts to repeal Davis-Bacon and strikerreplacement rules; and,

■ On PRO-LABOR LEGISLATION: Gephardt voted more than 290times to support organized labor on key issues.

Gephardt Receives BCTGM Endorsement

and quality of life for Americanworkers through his effectivework in Congress on trade, healthcare, workplace health and safetyand labor rights makes him theright choice for BCTGM mem-bers,” noted Hurt.

Hurt called the effort to defeatPresident Bush in the 2004 presi-dential election “the most impor-tant thing that any working per-son can ever do because of hispolicies that favor only the corpo-rations and the rich.”

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

Members of BCTGM Locals267G (Crookston, Minn.),264G (Grand Forks, Minn.),and 135G (Grand Forks,N.D.) pose for a photo withCongressman Dick Gephardtat a recent campaign rally.

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BCTGM News6

SEATTLE—Under the banner of“Vision, Voices, Votes,” politicalaction and organizing highlightedthe agenda of the 12th BiennialConvention of the Coalition ofLabor Union Women’s (CLUW)October 9-12.

A delegation of BCTGMwomen was among more than 900union members and guests who

gathered to find ways to use theirvision, voices and votes instrengthening the labor movement.

The number one priority of allunion women is the fight to retakethe White House from George W.Bush in 2004, AFL-CIO ExecutiveVice President Linda Chavez-Thompson told the convention.Chavez-Thompson challengedCLUW to beat Bush, whom shecalled the worst president of the12 in her lifetime, especially onfamily-oriented issues.

“In Bush’s America, there aremore than 9 million innocentchildren under the age of 19 whohave no health insurance, andalmost 90 percent are in workingfamilies like ours,” Chavez-Thompson said.

“In Bush’s America, multi-

millionaires get huge tax breaks,but millions of working motherscan’t afford good, reliable, safe,high-quality child care for theirkids,” she added.

Chavez-Thompson urged del-egates to volunteer as labor elec-tion coordinators, to increaseunion voter registration by 10percent and “to make it your per-

sonal mission toseek out and talkto the memberswho are undecid-ed about whetherto vote to re-electBush.”

Building onChavez-Thomp-son’s address,CLUW PresidentGloria Johnsonurged women toorganize by teach-

ing other working women aboutunionization’s benefits.

Johnson cited a 2003 AFL-CIO poll which showed womenprovided all the net growth inunion membership, but thatwomen’s attitudes about unionsare “eroding.”

In addition to Chavez-Thompson and Johnson, CLUWdelegates heard from SenatorPatty Murray, Canadian LaborCongress Executive Vice PresidentMarie Clarke Walker, and more.

BCTGM-WAC

The BCTGM Women’sAdvisory Committee (WAC) heldtwo meetings during the conven-tion and used the time to reviewlocal union activity since thegroup’s last meeting and developa political action plan to increaseissue awareness and get-out-thevote in 2004. The women attend-ed convention seminars thatfocused on state and federalhealth legislation.

While the 2004 election cam-paign is a long-term effort thatmust start now, International VicePresident and BCTGM-WACChairperson Jeanne Grahamurged the women to commit them-selves and their locals to organiz-ing more women workers into theBCTGM and be more activelyinvolved in the political and leg-islative process at all levels of gov-ernment.

BCTGM Delegates Join CLUW’s 2004 Political Challenge Campaign

The BCTGM-WAC applauds CLUW Pres. GloriaJohnson at the October CLUW convention.

2004 SCHOLARSHIP REMINDER2004 BCTGM International Scholarship ProgramTotal of ten $1,000 one-time scholarship awards. Details and applications areavailable now at your local union office, the BCTGM International ScholarshipOffice (301/933-8600) or downloaded from the web via an Adobe Acrobat.pdf file at www.bctgm.org. Application deadline: January 31, 2004.

2004 Union Plus Scholarship ProgramOne-time scholarship awards ranging from $500 - $4,000. Details and appli-cations available through the BCTGM International Research, Education andSpecial Projects Department (301/933-8600) or downloaded from the webvia an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file at www.bctgm.org. Application deadline:January 31, 2004.

through the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. The Trust’s HITHOME initiative is targeted tohelp union members purchasehomes. “Owning a home andbuilding strong, viable communi-ties has always been a priority ofworkers. The HIT Home program,supported by the B&C PensionFund and other union pensionfunds, makes home buying easier

and more affordable for unionmembers,” said Hurt.

Trust investments of $4 bil-lion have financed more than67,000 units of single family andmultifamily housing nationwide.These investments have generat-ed over 50,000 jobs in construc-tion and related industries.

The AFL-CIO BuildingInvestment Trust (BIT) is a $1.5billion pooled real estate fundserving pension plans with unionbeneficiaries. BIT invests in the

BCTGM Intl. Pres.Frank Hurt (left) pres-ents a ceremonialcheck to Mike Arnoldof the AFL-CIO UrbanDevelopment Fund(UDF) to celebrate a$50 million invest-ment commitment bythe Bakery andConfectionery Union& IndustryInternational PensionFund.

November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 7

TTrustees of the Bakery andConfectionery Union & IndustryInternational Pension Fund havecommitted to invest $50 millionin the AFL-CIO UrbanDevelopment Fund (UDF)—thenewest investment fund spon-sored by the AFL-CIO.

“Participating in the UrbanDevelopment Fund is a soundway for our Pension Fund toobtain the benefits of a realestate investment,” notesInternational BCTGM PresidentFrank Hurt, who serves as chair-man of the B&C Pension Fund.“The pension dollars we invest inthe UDF should enhance theretirement security of our mem-bers. At the same time, theinvestment contributes to eco-nomic and community develop-ment in areas where our mem-bers live and work.”

The UDF, launched in 2002,concentrates on investments inlarger real estate developmentprojects in urban markets.

With its UDF investment, theB&C Pension Fund builds on itslong standing committment tothe AFL-CIO’s other real estate-related trusts. The Pension Fundhas participated in the AFL-CIOHousing Investment Trust(HIT)—a fixed-income invest-ment fund—since its inception in1983. The Pension Fund hasalso invested in the AFL-CIOBuilding Investment Trust (BIT)since its inception in 1988. TheB&C Fund is now the largest sin-gle investor in HIT/BIT programs.

The AFL-CIO HousingInvestment Trust (HIT) is aninvestment company for Taft-Hartley and public pension plans.The Trust finances the develop-ment of multi- and single-familyresidential real estate projectsaround the country, principally

B&C Pension

Fund Investsin Our

Communities

development and redevelopmentof institutional quality multifamilyand commercial real estate proj-ects. The goal of the fund is topromote economic developmentwhile creating union jobs. Sinceits inception in 1988, the Trusthas helped finance over $2 billionin commercial developmentacross the United States.

All projects financed by UDF,HIT and BIT are performed by allunion labor.

Mike Arnold, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIOInvestment Trust Corporation,expressed appreciation for theunion’s support of the UDF. “Wewelcome the Pension Fund’s sub-stantial investment commitmentto the UDF,” Arnold told Hurt. “Itcontinues a long tradition of

BCTGM’s support for the AFL-CIOinvestment trusts. We are pleasedthat the competitive returns of theHIT and BIT have benefitedcountless BCTGM members overthe years, and we look forward tothe opportunity to serve thePension Fund’s investment needsthrough the UDF as well.”

For more information on theHIT Home Program for

union member mortgages,visit www.hithome.org

Hands-on, skills-basedexercises are animportant part of thenew officers trainingprogram. Pictured here,the local leaderspractice writingcontract language andorganizing research.

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BCTGM News8

From the west coast of Canada to the east coastof the United States and many cities in between,22 BCTGM local union officers successfullycompleted the International’s comprehensivetraining program at the George Meany Centerfor Labor Studies in Silver Spring, Md.

In welcoming the officers to the week longSeptember program, BCTGM InternationalPresident Frank Hurt said, “Education is key tobuilding a strong foundation for effective BCTGMleadership. Educated officers have the skills toeffectively rep-resent theirmembership.”

The “Dutiesand Respon-sibilities of NewLocal UnionOfficers” gaveboth new andincumbent offi-cers a chanceto learn andfurther developthe skills theyneed to effec-tively run their locals. Designed for principallocal union officers who have not participated inany previous training program sponsored by theInternational Union, the training provides abasic overview of the core subjects critical torunning a BCTGM local union. The programprovided participants with hands-on training inorganizing, contract negotiations and enforce-ment, grievance handling, health and safety andmore.

One of the most beneficial and enjoyableelements of the training was the discussionsand lectures on topics ranging from labor law,political action, communication, and labor dis-putes. The union leaders were able to share andcompare experiences from their respective plantsand discuss new and creative ways to handle simi-lar situations.

“Faced with increased corporate consolidation

Education is Key to EffectiveLocal Union Leadership

and plant closings, today’s local union leadersmust have the skills to handle a wide range ofissues. From the political challenges labor faces inboth Canada and the U.S. to the importance ofnegotiating good contracts in difficult times, wewant to be sure our local unions are prepared,”concludes Hurt.

November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 9

EEnthusiasm and energy markedthe 2003 meeting of the ThirdRegion Bakers Council. TheCouncil enjoyed one of its largestdelegations in recent memory, inlarge part because of the strongparticipation of the region’sGrain Miller locals.

In assessing the meeting,International President Frank Hurtstated, “The positive spirit of themeeting is very encouraging for thefuture of our Union in the ThirdRegion, particularly the commit-ment of local union officers toorganizing and political action.”

In addition to PresidentHurt, International SecretaryTreasurer/Director ofOrganization David Durkee andInternational Executive VicePresident Larry Barber partici-pated in the meeting.

In his address to the Council,

Third Region Bakers Council

Energized Delegates Commit toOrganizing and Political Action

Hurt discussed a range of issues,including the tremendous successof the Third Region Bargaining

Council. He described its impor-tance to the BCTGM’s ongoingfight to enhance the living stan-dards of our members and avoidthe race to the bottom that is tak-ing place in large parts of theAmerican economy.

Health care was also a majortopic of the meeting. “There is noissue more important to labor andmanagement than the cost ofhealth care which means there isno issue more pressing than theestablishment of a national healthcare plan,” Hurt explained.

The delegates and Inter-national officers and staff alsofocused significant attention onstrategies for organizing newmembers and the priority of elect-ing candidates who representworkers’ interests, starting withDick Gephardt, who the BCTGMhas endorsed for President.

Intl. Pres. Frank Hurt (right)presents L. 13G (Hastings,Minn.) Pres. Charles Nistler witha BCTGM-PAC Award at theThird Region Bakers Councilmeeting. Nistler’s local con-tributed the most BCTGM-PACdollars per member in theregion—$14.73.

BBCTGM’s Canadian memberscelebrated the 41st EasternCanada Council Conference inMontreal, Quebec September 20-22. The conference, attended bymore than 50 delegates andguests, including InternationalPresident Frank Hurt andInternational SecretaryTreasurer/Director ofOrganization David Durkee,highlighted the recent successesof the union in Canada since thelast conference in 2001.

President Hurt addressed thedelegates with an inspiringspeech that touched on the nega-

BCTGM Canada Meets in Montrealtive impacts of NAFTA onCanadian manufacturing jobs,his concern over raiding unionsin the country, and the need toimprove the provinces’ labourlaws to give non-union workers agreater opportunity to realize abetter life through union mem-bership and a collective bargain-ing agreement. Making specialnote of the International-ledRebuild Canada Now initiative,President Hurt highlighted theorganizing successes in Ontario,Quebec and New Brunswick dur-ing the past two years.International Vice President

Sean Kelly also addressed theconference and spoke passion-ately about the need to continueorganizing, particularly as theunion faces a growing number ofplant closings.

The delegates also broke intogroups to discuss and debate vari-ous topics, including how toaddress raiding unions, and how toanticipate and deal with memberexpectations of their local officers.The conference also featured localunion reports that emphasized suc-cessful organizing campaigns, plantclosings, arbitration results, andcontract negotiation highlights.

BCTGM News10

MusicLinda Allen: Women’s WorkSongs about women’s real work—building ships,soothing the sick, caring for children in and out ofour homes, and working as labor leaders, teachersand builders of peace. CS 10 CD $15

Tom Neilson: Spirit of JusticeSocial justice folksongs and parodies by TomNeilson. Includes “Enron Ron” and “W knows.” CD $15

Our Voices Will Rise for Justice/NuestrasVoces Se Levantan Para La JusticiaSongs of labor and immigration by a collaborationof artists and organizers. Produced by Enlace, analliance of U.S. and Mexican labor organizations.In Spanish with English translations. CD $18

Andy Blue and the Blues Missionaries:Voodoo MusicIncludes “Bourgeois Blues” and “Big Boss Man.”CD $15

MoviesChrist in ConcreteBased on Pietro di Donato’s prize-winning novelabout an Italian immigrant bricklayer and his fami-ly in New York City. Long thought to be lost, thisfilm was recently released in a fully restored ver-sion. Directed by Edward Dmytryk. (1949, 116min.) DVD $25

Norma RaeSally Field won an Oscar for her performance as atextile worker in the South who organizes a unionin her mill. (1979, 113 min.) DVD $15

Holiday Gifts for Union PeopleDedicated to strengthening the labor movement through the use of music and the

arts, the Labor Heritage Foundation offers music, books, movies, posters and more toremind us why we choose to stand up for the union.

Listed here are some gift ideas offered by the Labor Heritage Foundation. For a freecatalog, contact the foundation at 202-974-8040, or visit them online atwww.laborheritage.org to order and view other available items.

10,000 Black Men Named GeorgeDocudrama of the life of A. Philip Randolph andhis Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Directedby Robert Townsend and starring Andre Braugher,Charles Dutton and Mario Van Peebles. (2002, 112min.) DVD $30

Bound for GloryDavid Carradine rides the rails as the legendaryWoody Guthrie in Hal Ashby’s biopic, which wonOscars for musical score and for Haskell Wexlers’scinematography. (1976, 147 min.) DVD $21

BooksElegy on the Death of Cesar ChavezRudolfo Anaya with illustrations by Gaspar Enriquez

A poem written for young people which eulogizesthe life and work of Cesar Chavez. Endorsed bythe Cesar Chavez Foundation. Hardcover. 33pp. $17

Insurgent Images: The Agitprop Muralsof Mike AlewitzPaul Buhle and Mike Alewitz

Powerful full-color images of mural artworks by out-spoken labor activist Mike Alewitz. Foreword byMartin Sheen. 150pp. $28

Mother Jones and the Union MinersCemetery in Mount OliveIllinois Leslie F. Orear

A collection of articles, photos, maps and newspa-per clippings about Mother Jones. Published by theIllinois Labor History Society. 116 pp. $20

Holiday Gifts for Union People

November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 11

ONE YEAR AGO, following eighteenmonths of investigation

and research, the Commission onthe Future of Health Care inCanada, headed by former NDPPremier Roy Romanow, releasedtheir report on the status ofCanadian health care, and gaverecommendations for improve-ment and reform. At the time ofthe release, Romanow stated thatthe suggested reforms wereintended to strengthen all aspectsof the country’s health care sys-tem. “They are based on a visionof medicare as a nationalendeavour, where governmentswork together to ensure timelyaccess to quality health careservices as a right of citizenship,not a privilege,” stated Romanow.

And yet, reform has not beenforthcoming, despite the fact thefederal government has commit-ted $34.8 billion of increasedfunding over the next five yearsto healthcare. BCTGM Inter-national President Frank Hurthas urged provincial leaders toput aside provincial squabblingand move forward on the recom-

BCTGM Pushes for Health Councilmendations proposed in theRomanow Report. “It is inexcus-able that one year afterRomanow’s historic report wasreleased to the public, theprovincial governments havebeen dragging their feet andresisting reform in this key areaof public policy,” stated Hurt.

The initial stumbling blockappears to be the creation of aHealth Council that would over-see and guide the reforms. TheCommission envisioned aCouncil made up of representa-tives from each province and ter-ritory that would guide healthpolicy in Canada, and moreimportantly, provide a third partythat could rise above intergov-ernmental conflict. However, it isthat very conflict that is delayingthe implementation of such

Council, since the provinces can-not agree on what mandate thecouncil should have. Accordingto International Vice PresidentSean Kelly, the problem is a lackof political will. “We know thereis a problem, we know whatsome of the solutions are, andyet the Premiers cannot find thewill or desire to take the first steptowards recovery,” stated Kelly.

Now that the wave of provin-cial elections are over, theBCTGM has issued a challenge toall Premiers: make the reform ofhealth care a priority, immediatelyestablish a Health Council, andtake seriously the recommenda-tions put forth by the Health CareCommission. “The health of ourchildren, our parents and ourfuture generations are at stake,and with such consequences,Canadian citizens must exertpressure onto their elected offi-cials,” challenged Hurt.

For more information seewww.healthcarecommission.caand check for regular updates on

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 TAll union members need toembrace and expand their abilityto organize. Organizing will help

your local grow stronger and help you build a better power base with-in your area. Organizing builds unity at the local union level and givesthe working people a voice to help positive change happen.Organizing increases productivity and makes better workers.

Peter SkimmingPresident, Local 252 (Calgary, Alberta)

WHY ORGANIZE?

This is a summary of the annual report of the Bakeryand Confectionery Union and Industry InternationalHealth Benefits Fund, EIN 53-0227042, Plan No.501, for the period January 1, 2002 through December31, 2002. The annual report has been filed with theEmployee Benefits Security Administration, U.S.Department of Labor, as required under the EmployeeRetirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

The Trustees of the Bakery and ConfectioneryUnion and Industry International Health BenefitsFund have committed themselves to pay all non-insured claims incurred under the terms of the Plan.

Insurance InformationThe plan has contracts with Independence Blue

Cross & Blue Shield Personal Choice to pay hospital,medical and death claims incurred under the terms ofthe plan. The total premiums paid for the plan yearending December 31, 2002 were $16,010.

Because it is a so called “experience-rated” con-tract, the premium costs are affected by, among otherthings, the number and size of claims. Of the totalinsurance premiums paid for the plan year endingDecember 31, 2002, the premiums paid under such“experience-rated” contracts were $16,010 and thetotal of all benefit claims paid under these experience-rated contracts during the plan year was $0.

Basic Financial StatementThe value of plan assets, after subtracting liabili-

ties of the plan, was $205,418,234 as of December 31,2002, compared to $217,910,828 as of January 1,2002. During the plan year the plan experienced adecrease in its net assets of $12,492,594. Thisdecrease includes unrealized appreciation and depre-ciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the differ-ence between the value of the plan’s assets at the endof the year and the value of the assets at the begin-ning of the year or the cost of assets acquired duringthe year. During the plan year, the plan had totalincome of $38,108,993 including employer contribu-tions of $24,685,186, employee contributions of$54,959, realized losses of $2,276,315 from the saleof assets, and earnings from investments of$8,130,345.

Plan expenses were $50,601,587. These expensesincluded $5,073,624 in administrative expenses and$45,527,963 in benefits paid to participants and bene-ficiaries. A total of 43,066 persons were participantsin or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the year.

Your Rights To Additional InformationYou have the right to receive a copy of the full

annual report, or any part thereof, on request. Theitems listed below are included in that report:

1. an accountant’s report;2. financial information and information on pay-

ments to service providers;3. assets held for investment;4. transactions in excess of 5% of the plan assets;

and5. insurance information, including sales commis-

sions paid by insurance carriers.To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any

part thereof, write or call the office of Robert D.Martin who is Manager of Administrative Services,Bakery and Confectionery Union and IndustryInternational Health Benefits and Pension Funds,10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750. The charge to cover copyingcosts will be $4.50 for the full annual report, or 25cents per page for any part thereof.

You also have the right to receive from the planadministrator, on request and at no charge, a state-ment of the assets and liabilities of the plan andaccompanying notes, or a statement of income andexpenses of the plan and accompanying notes, orboth. If you request a copy of the full annual reportfrom the plan administrator, these two statements andaccompanying notes will be included as part of thatreport. The charge to cover copying costs given abovedoes not include a charge for the copying of theseportions of the report because these portions are fur-nished without charge.

You also have the legally protected right to exam-ine the annual report at the main office of the plan at10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3960 and at the U.S. Department of Labor inWashington, 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, EmployeeBenefits Security Administration, U.S. Department ofLabor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington,D.C. 20210.

Additional ExplanationAdditional Basic Financial Statement Information:

The retiree contributions of $7,514,818 were forextended health insurance under the plan.

Información AdicionalSi tiene dificultad en la interpretación de este

Sumario del Reporte Anual, por favor escriba o llamaa la oficina de Robert D. Martin, que es el Director delos Servicios Administrativos de el Bakery andConfectionery Union and Industry InternationalHealth Benefits and Pension Funds, 10401Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750.

BCTGM News12

SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORTFOR THE BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY UNION AND INDUSTRY

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS FUND

This is a summary of the annual report for the Bakeryand Confectionery Union and Industry InternationalPension Fund, EIN 52-6118572, Plan No. 001, for theperiod January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Theannual report has been filed with the Employee BenefitsSecurity Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, asrequired under the Employee Retirement IncomeSecurity Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Basic Financial StatementBenefits under the plan are provided in whole from

trust funds. Plan expenses were $396,923,451. Theseexpenses included $18,231,667 in administrative expens-es and $378,691,784 in benefits paid to participants andbeneficiaries. A total of 120,069 persons were partici-pants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of theplan year, although not all of these persons had yetearned the right to receive benefits.

The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilitiesof the plan, was $4,649,641,819 as of December 31,2002, compared to $5,247,223,841 as of January 1,2002. During the plan year the plan experienced adecrease in its net assets of $597,582,022. This decreaseincludes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in thevalue of plan assets; that is, the difference between thevalue of the plan’s assets at the end of the year and thevalue of the assets at the beginning of the year or thecost of assets acquired during the year. The plan hadtotal income of $(200,658,571) including employer con-tributions of $186,928,524, realized losses of$255,646,268 from the sale of assets, and earnings frominvestments of $(133,955,061).

Minimum Funding StandardsAn actuary’s statement shows that enough money

was contributed to the plan to keep it funded in accor-dance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA.

Your Rights To Additional InformationYou have the right to receive a copy of the full annu-

al report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listedbelow are included in that report:

1. an accountant’s report;2. financial information and information on pay-

ments to service providers;3. assets held for investment;4. transactions in excess of 5% of the plan assets;5. information regarding any common or collective

trusts, pooled separate accounts, master trusts or103-12 investment entities in which the plan par-ticipates; and

6. actuarial information regarding the funding of theplan.

To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or anypart thereof, write or call the office of Robert D. Martinwho is the manager of Administrative Services, Bakeryand Confectionery Union and Industry InternationalHealth Benefits and Pension Funds, 10401 ConnecticutAvenue, Kensington MD 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750.

The charge to cover the copying costs will be $5.50 forthe full annual report, or 25 cents per page for any partthereof.

You also have the right to receive from the planadministrator, on request and at no charge, a statementof the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompany-ing notes, or a statement of income and expenses of theplan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request acopy of the full annual report from the plan administra-tor, these two statements and accompanying notes willbe included as part of that report. The charge to covercopying costs given above does not include a charge forthe copying of these portions of the report because theseportions are furnished without charge.

You also have the legally protected right to examinethe annual report at the main office of the plan, 10401Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3960 andat the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., orto obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Laborupon payment of copying costs. Requests to theDepartment should be addressed to: Public DisclosureRoom, Room N1513, Employee Benefits SecurityAdministration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.

Additional ExplanationAdditional Basic Financial Statement Information:

The plan had miscellaneous income of $2,014,234.

Información AdicionalSi tiene dificultad en la interpretación de este

Sumario del Reporte Anual, por favor escriba o llama ala oficina de Robert D. Martin, que es el Director de losServicios Administrativos de el Bakery and ConfectioneryUnion and Industry International Health Benefits andPension Funds, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington,Maryland 20895-3960, (301) 468-3750.

Funds’ Trustee

Following is a listing of the trustees currently serv-ing on the boards of each Fund:

Union Trustees—Frank Hurt (Chairman), Intl.Pres.; David B. Durkee, Intl. Secy.-Treas.; JeanneA. Graham, Intl. Vice Pres.; Anthony L. Johnson,Intl. Vice Pres.; Art Montminy, Intl. Vice Pres.;Robert Oakley, Intl. Vice Pres.; Randy D. Roark,Intl. Vice Pres.; Joseph Thibodeau, Intl.Exec.Vice Pres.

Employer Trustees—Richard B. Cook(Secretary) Vice Pres., Labor Relations,Interstate Brands Corp.; James D. Ferber, ByronO. Magafas, Vice Pres., Labor Relations, SaraLee Bakery Group; Lou Minella, Vice Pres.,Labor Relations, Stroehmann Bakeries; MiltonMinter, Louis Pasquesi, Jr., Vice Pres., HumanResources, Gonnella Baking Co.; John Wagner,Vice Pres., Labor Relations, The Kroger Co.

November/December 2003 13

SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORTFOR THE BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY UNION AND INDUSTRY

INTERNATIONAL PENSION FUND

14

Since we last reported on local union mergersin the March/April issue of the BCTGM News,the following local unions have merged:Local 403G (Elyria, OH) into Local 19 (Cleveland, OH) with

an effective date of April 1, 2003. Local 999 (Riviere DesPrairies, QC) into Local 55 (St-

Leonard, QC) with an effective date of April 1, 2003. Local 39G (Cleveland, OH) into Local 19 (Cleveland, OH)

with an effective date of April 1, 2003. Local 180 (Green Bay, WI) into Local 205 (Milwaukee, WI)

with an effective date of May 1, 2003. Local 16 (Buffalo, NY) into Local 802 (Buffalo, NY) with an

effective date of June 1, 2003. Local 386G (Mount Joy, PA) into Local 464 (Hershey, PA)

with an effective date of July 1, 2003. Local 335G (Bonner Springs, KS) into Local 218 (Kansas

City, MO) with an effective date of October 1, 2003. Local 392G (Millstadt, IL) into Local 4 (St. Louis, MO) with

an effective date of January 1, 2004. Local 119 (Oakland, CA) into Local 125 (Oakland, CA) with

an effective date of January 1, 2004.

M E R G E D L O C A L S

BCTGM Intl. Rep. Bill Daunhauer(left) presents a BCTGM-PAC checkto William Londrigan , President ofthe Kentucky State AFL-CIO in sup-port of the state federation’s politi-cal education program.

BCTGM-PAC

The BCTGM Candy, Confectionery, Pasta and Snacks Council held its 2003 convention in Palm Springs, Calif.September 26-October 1. The program featured Intl. Vice Pres. Bob Oakley as the keynote speaker as well as anaddress by Intl. Vice Pres. Randy Roark and other guests. Local union representatives presented reports from eachlocal as well as from the Council’s Committees. Pictured here are the delegates and guests to the meeting.

Intl. Pres. Frank Hurt and Intl. Vice Pres. Bob Oakley recently met with themembers and officers of Local 464 in Hershey, Pa. Organizing, contractnegotiations and national AFL-CIO campaigns were among the topicsaddressed. Pictured here (from left) is Local 464 Bus. Agt. Bruce Hummel,Local 464 HERCO Branch Pres. Merlin Adams, Bus. Mgr. Robert Feaser, Hurt,Oakley and Bus. Agt. Dennis Bomberger.

CANDY COUNCIL MEETS

OFFICERS VISIT HERSHEY

Members of the BCTGM General Executive Board (GEB)elected Local 42 (Atlanta) Bus. Agt. Johnny Jackson tofill the GEB vacancy in Region Four. Pictured here, Intl.Pres. Frank Hurt (left) administers the oath of office toJackson at the Sept. GEB meeting in Washington D.C.

NEW GEB MEMBER

November/December 2003 www.bctgm.org 15

HOME FINANCINGMADE SIMPLE

Visit the Home FinanceCenter online atwww.bctgm.org/bene-fits/index.htm for first-time home buyers’ support,planning calculators andinformation about the entiremortgage process.You canalso call the BCTGMPower/Union Plus Mortgageand Real Estate at: 1-800-416-5786. A program coun-selor will answer all of yourhome-buying questions—from how much house youcan afford, to what type ofmortgage will best suit yourneeds.They can also referyou to a professional realestate agent who can helpyou find a home withinyour price range.

Mortgage & Real Estate

Disaster Assistance from BCTGM PowerUnion members living in North Carolina,Virginia, Maryland, Delaware andWashington, DC, who were impacted by Hurricane Isabel as well as membersliving in Southern California, who were impacted by the recent wildfires, mayqualify for financial assistance through the BCTGM Power programs.

Disaster victims, who are participants of the BCTGM Power Credit Card,Loan and Mortgage programs, may be eligible to receive payment extensionsor other special help from the program providers.

Assistance plans vary by program provider. To find out more, disaster vic-tims who participate in any of the following BCTGM Power programs shouldcall these toll-free numbers:

Union Plus Credit Card – 1-800-622-2580Union Plus Loan Program – 1-800-343-7097

Union Plus Mortgage – 1-800-848-6466

BCTGM Power Mortgage & Real Estate makes refinancingand home-buying easier and more affordable for work-ing families.Through Chase Manhattan Mortgage

Corporation, one of the largest lenders in the U.S., union mem-bers can take advantage of convenient mortgage programs.Take a look at some of the benefits:• Easy application process right over the phone or in-person;• Strike and unemployment/disability benefits to help you

make payments when you’re out of work;• Mortgage loans to purchase or refinance your home;• Refinance and lower your rate, your monthly payments and

shorten your loan term;• Mortgage programs for borrowers with “less than perfect”

credit;• Your family—including parents and children—are also eligible

for Union Plus mortgages;• Down payments as low as 5%—and even lower for qualified

buyers;• $350 toward closing costs (for buyers who use both the real

estate and mortgage portions of the program);• The average maximum lender fee under the BCTGM Power

program is only $100, compared to an industry average of$753 in fees (based on a national survey of mortgage lenderfees by HSH Associates in May 2003). Union memberssave an average of $653.

Printed in U.S.A.

We wish all our members a

Happy and Safe

Holiday Season.

We wish all our members a

Happy and Safe

Holiday Season.

Frank HurtInternational President

David DurkeeSecretary-Treasurer

Joseph ThibodeauExecutive Vice President

Larry BarberExecutive Vice President