Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
July/ August 2017
Volume 19 Number 4
the PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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Strong Unions are VITAL to a Strong Middle Class
Political leaders in Washington D.C. regularly express deep concern about the tough economic and financial challenges facing America’s middle-class. However, division among our political parties and the White House is great and beyond an acknowledgment that working Americans are struggling, that jobs are being outsourced at an alarming rate and wage stagnation is obstructing economic progress, there is little agreement as to how to fix this growing economic problem. To me, this is mystifying because the facts are very clear. The economic strife faced by the middle class and the deterioration in the standard of living of working Americans are directly linked to the steady decline in union membership. In 1935, the New Deal granted workers basic collective bargaining rights and over the next decade, union membership grew dramatically, followed by an equally dramatic decline in income inequality. This yielded an era of broadly shared prosperity, running from the 1940s into the 1970s. According to the Economic Policy Institute, one hallmark of the first 30 years after World War II was the “countervailing power” of labor unions (not just at the bargaining table but in local, state, and national politics) and their ability to raise wages and working standards for members and non-members alike. Following the war and through the early 1970s, both compensation and labor productivity roughly doubled. Labor unions prospered, and ensured that prosperity was shared with working Americans and their families. Unions at midcentury also exerted considerable political clout, sustaining other political and economic gains like the minimum wage, job-based health benefits, Social Security, etc., all of which helped maintain wage equity and advanced economic and social justice. However, in the 1980s unions came under attack—in the workplace, in the courts, and in public policy. As a result, union membership severely declined and income inequality worsened—reaching levels not seen since the 1920s. Since this attack on unionized workers began in the 1980’s, the labor movement has been a consistent, but often solo voice, warning of the disastrous impact outsourcing and a decimated industrial sector would have on this country’s economy and standard of living. At the heart of the assault on working families is the implementation of a low-wage economic strategy. Flawed trade agreements like NAFTA and tax policies that embolden corporations to move production out of the United States to low-wage countries are responsible for wiping out millions of high-wage manufacturing jobs, most of which were union jobs. Meanwhile, over the last 35 years, corporations have made union busting a top priority, employing high-priced consultants to intimidate and harass workers, taking full advantage of this nation’s weak labor laws. At the same time, their allies in
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Congress gut funding and staffing for the agencies that were created to support workers like the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board. As labor predicted at the time of the NAFTA debate, the catastrophic loss of manufacturing jobs and the erosion of the ability of American workers to improve their incomes and standard of living through union membership and collective bargaining have had a devastating impact on middle-class families and their communities. Greater union density in the workforce and robust collective bargaining across economic sectors ensure rising incomes, greater middle-class purchasing power, broad economic growth and an improved standard of living for American workers, union and non-union alike. The period of America’s greatest middle-class economic strength, post-war through the 1960’s, also was the time of the highest union membership. If the American middle class is to grow and prosper; if the next generation of Americans is to do better than their parents, then there must be a determined national commitment to policies that will create and retain millions of high-wage manufacturing jobs in this country and ensure workers’ freedom to join unions and bargain collectively. We will continue our economic fight because this fight is vital to the future of American democracy. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “For the labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals. Their goals are goals for all America - and their enemies are the enemies of all progress. The two cannot be separated.” — David B. Durkee, BCTGM International President
BCTGM News
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.org David B. Durkee, Editor Corrina A. Christensen, Assistant Editor BCTGM General Executive Board President David B. Durkee • Secretary-Treasurer Steve Bertelli Vice Presidents Shad Clark • Jethro Head Arthur Montminy • Ron Piercey • Anthony Shelton BCTGM General Executive Board Members Joyce Alston • John Bethel • Thomas Bingler • Butch Henley Paul LaBuda • Stephane Langlois • Terry Lansing Earl Lublow • Letitia Malone • Gary Oskoian • Paula Steig Doyle Townson • Jeff Webb • Donald Woods BCTGM News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid at Kensington, MD and at additional mailing offices. Subscription to new members only. Postmaster: Send address changes to BCTGM News, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961.
BCTGM News
Cargill Cocoa Workers Say UNION YES! In an area of Pennsylvania where workers at several manufacturing plants belong to the BCTGM, it wasn’t a difficult decision for workers at the Cargill Cocoa facility in Hazelton about who to contact when they wanted to form a union.
A worker at the Cargill plant first reached out to BCTGM International Director of Organization John Price in January through the union’s online organizing form. Afraid of management retaliation, the worker, Louis Morales, initially used a fictitious name. However, after several weeks of communicating with Price and understanding workers’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act, he felt comfortable in revealing his true identity and agreed to help arrange a meeting between the BCTGM and the workers. More than 100 workers at the Cargill Cocoa facility produce high quality chocolate, coatings, fillings, cocoa powders, cocoa liquors and cocoa butters used in food manufacturing, bakery, confectionery, beverage, and dairy applications. Louis Morales, together with his brother Freddy, also a longtime Cargill Cocoa worker, led the inplant organizing effort. The key issues that pushed the workers to form a union were workplace safety, favoritism, constantly changing company policies and unfair workplace rules. After learning of the many confectionery workers represented by the BCTGM, and that workers at the nearby Bimbo Bakeries USA locations in Hazelton and Lehigh Valley were represented by BCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia), the workers asked to meet with union members and representatives of the Local. BCTGM International Representative Roger Miller coordinated the campaign with Local 6 President/Business Agent Hank McKay, Local 6 July/August 2017
Financial Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Looney and Local 6 Organizer Edgar Rodriguez. According to Price, because more than 50 percent of the Cargill Cocoa workers are Hispanic, Rodriguez and BCTGM International Organizer Hector Rosa, both of whom are fluent in Spanish, were key to communicating with the workers throughout the campaign. Bimbo bakery worker and Local 6 steward from Hazelton, John Tate, and Anthony Downing, a union member and steward from the Lehigh Valley Bimbo bakery, and the Local 6 organizing team met with the workers several times to answer questions and address concerns. According to McKay, Downing was key to the union’s digital organizing effort including the establishment of a Facebook page called, “Cargill Cocoa Union Yes!” that helped share information quickly and easily with the workers. “The Local 6 members from Bimbo Bakeries helped the Cargill Cocoa workers understand the many benefits they would gain if they voted to become members of the BCTGM. It was worker-to-worker communication and the message was carried back into the plant where support grew rapidly,” recalls Price. BCTGM East Central International Vice President Art Montminy met with the organizing committee about what to expect during a union organizing campaign and assisted the Local in the final weeks. By late June, more than 60 percent of the workers had signed union representation cards and Price filed for an election. On August 3, the Cargill Cocoa Workers voted overwhelmingly to join the union. “Economics is always a factor in organizing. But these workers also wanted a voice on vital issues like safety and scheduling. Once they heard from other union workers and trusted the organizers, they realized the BCTGM and Local 6 could help improve their life in the workplace,” reflects Montminy.
www.bctgm.org
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LOCALS GATHER IN DECATUR, IL for
Steward Training
Stewards from two BCTGM local unions gathered in Decatur, Ill. in early August for a oneday shop steward training administered by the International Union. Local 103G (Decatur, Ill.) hosted the education conference that also included stewards from BCTGM Local 115G (Paris, Ill.). A total of 30 stewards attended the class.
The one-day training in Decatur, Ill. was led by Intl. BCTGM Director of Research & Education Matthew Clark and included 30 stewards from two Illinois local unions.
The training focused on several key areas: grievance investigation, communicating with the membership, and internal and new member
L. 115G Bus. Agt. Mike Snodgrass, L. 115G Vice Pres. Bryon York and BCTGM International Organizer Hector Rosa. 4
organizing. Participants engaged in small group activities and role playing scenarios to further their understanding of the issues stewards are commonly faced. Matthew Clark, BCTGM International Research & Education Director led the training, assisted by BCTGM International Organizer Hector Rosa. Midwest Region International Vice President Jethro Head says the role of the shop steward is one of the most important positions in the union. “Our stewards are the face of the union and communicate with our members on a daily basis. It’s up BCTGM News
Local 103G officers (from left) President Jeff Angell, Exec. Board member Mike Clem and Recording Secretary James Adair.
to us to ensure they have all the tools they need to fulfill their responsibilities,” notes Head. Local 103G has 600 members working at the sprawling ADM complex in Decatur that covers more than 1,000 acres. Corn and soy are processed at a rate of 600,000 and 200,000 bushels per day, respectively. The East Plant location processes corn and produces ingredients such as citric acid and lactic acid; xanthan gum (adds texture and stability to products like dairy foods and bottled dressings); dextrose (a sweetener); sorbitol (a sugar free sweetener); and corn syrup. Other products made by BCTGM members in Decatur include ethanol (a fuel additive) and
lysine. ADM is one of the largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers in the world. Clark was invited to tour the Corn Processing plant and reflected on the sophistication of the operation. “The knowledge and skill our members have to
keep such a plant operating in an efficient manner is quite remarkable. Clearly, they take great pride in the work they do and the level of expertise they possess.” Local 115G represents the workers at the Cargill corn mill in Paris, Ill. Originally the Illinois Cereal Company, operations at the mill began in 1934. By 1937, the mill was producing 11,000 bushels per day. A devastating fire destroyed the original facility in 1947 and the mill was rebuilt. Cargill purchased the company in 1994. The mill currently produces 50,000 bushels a day of premium corn that is distributed worldwide.
Local 103G stewards discuss grievance investigation during a group exercise.
Canadian Stewards On June, 23 in Edmonton, Alberta, BCTGM Local 252 (Calgary, Alberta) held an internal organizing training for stewards. The training was led by BCTGM International Canadian Vice President Ron Piercey and International Organizer Karl Walker. According to Local 252 Business Agent Mark Robar, the day-long training was very well received by the union members who attended.
July/August 2017
www.bctgm.org
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Congressional Leaders PLEDGE SUPPORT to Nabisco/Mondelēz Workers
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alling the boycott of Nabisco/Mondelēz products made in Mexico, “vital to saving good, middle-class American jobs,” BCTGM International President David Durkee urged U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) to call on Nabisco/ Mondelēz to support American workers and bring jobs back to the U.S. Durkee, together with BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer Steve Bertelli and Assistant to the President Harry Kaiser, met with the two Congressional leaders in Pelosi’s Capitol Hill office. Durkee detailed the BCTGM’s campaign to save American jobs and the boycott of Nabisco/Mondelēz products made in Mexico. Pelosi and Lewis pledged their support for the campaign. The nationwide boycott of Nabisco/Mondelēz products made in Mexico continues to grow in support as cities across the U.S. adopt resolutions supporting American jobs. In Philadelphia, Councilmen Brian O’Neill and Bill Greenlee introduced a resolution asking the city to support a boycott of Nabisco/Mondelēz products made in Mexico. The Council passed the resolution unanimously, noting the devastating effects of Mondelēz’ decision to close Philadelphia’s iconic Nabisco bakery in 2015. Hundreds of Local 492 members lost their jobs when the plant shut down. The resolution pledges that the city will not buy Nabisco/Mondelēz products manufactured outside the U.S. until the company reverses the decision to send production to Mexico and move the family sustaining jobs back to Philadelphia. Additionally, on June 14, the Bergen County, N.J., Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Freeholder ViceChairman and IBEW 164 member Thomas J. Sullivan, passed a resolution authorizing support for Nabisco workers and the protection of American jobs. The resolution requests that Nabisco/Mondelēz reverse its decision to outsource American jobs and prevents the sale of any made in Mexico Nabisco products at county sponsored events. The resolution also prevents purchases of made in Mexico Nabisco products with taxpayer dollars and asks the public to avoid buying those products until Nabisco reverses its anti-worker policy. This policy directly impacts BCTGM Local 719 members at the Nabisco Fairlawn, N.J. plant. Most recently on July 26, the Atlanta City Council
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Pictured here (left to right) are Assistant to the President Harry Kaiser, U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), BCTGM International President David Durkee, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and BCTGM Intl. SecretaryTreasurer Steve Bertelli.
passed a resolution pledging support for Atlanta’s Nabisco workers and calls on Nabisco/Mondelēz to stop outsourcing American jobs to Mexico. BCTGM Local 42 (Atlanta) Business Manager Zack Townsend was instrumental in bringing the issue to the Council and securing passage of the resolution.
IUF Food Processing Division
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n June 26-27, the BCTGM met with representatives of IUF affiliates from 11 countries in Chicago to develop a new Food Processing Division of the IUF. IUF delegates delivered presentations on the state of the global food processing industry. Several unions also provided updates on global campaigns, including representatives from the BCTGM who updated affiliates on its campaign to save American jobs at Mondelēz International. The IUF Food Processing Division will be proposed to the IUF 27th World Congress in late August. BCTGM News
L. 719 members (L to R) Agnieszka Jabłoński, Iwona Bibok, DanutaTokarz, Mariola Bernat, and Stanisława Bednarz.
Union Pride and Unity SHINE in N.J. At the Fairlawn, N.J. Nabisco/Mondelēz plant, hardworking and dedicated Local 719 members produce some of America’s favorite Nabisco snacks. On July 26-27, BCTGM Local 719 members in Fairlawn, N.J. took to the streets outside the Nabisco/ Mondelēz bakery to shine a light on the company’s outsourcing of American jobs and global exploitation of workers. Union members joined the protest as their shifts ended to help call attention to the
exploits of Nabisco/Mondelēz and to loudly remind the surrounding community: Check the Label and BOYCOTT Nabisco products made in Mexico! Local 719 members produce the following Nabisco items: Wheat Thins, Lorna Doone, Oreo Thins, Oreo King Size, Oreo Double Stuffed King Size, Oreo Super Carton, Oreo Crush Bags, Single Slug Oreo, Double Stuffed Oreo, Family Size Oreo, Regular Oreo, Grind Oreo, Base Cake Oreo, Food Service Oreo, Teddy Grahams and Barnum Animal crackers. L. 719 President Nafis Vlashi (left) and Vice President Richard Nazzaro (right).
James O’Connor proudly waves the flag outside the Nabisco bakery after his shift ends.
L. 719 members protested outside the Fairlawn, N.J. Nabisco plant for two days in July.
July/August 2017
After his shift in the packing department ended, Mathew Buie joined Scabby outside the Nabisco bakery. www.bctgm.org
Scott Schaublin and his daughter remind Fairlawn commuters passing the plant to buy only American-made Oreo cookies.
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Proudly BCTGM-Made T
he products listed on these pages are just
space to list them all!). BCTGM members
some of the BCTGM-Made-In-America
work for hundreds of North America’s most
products made by hardworking union members.
renowned food manufacturing companies
This list is not inclusive of every BCTGM local or
producing thousands of quality goods. As
union-made product (we do not have enough
always, look for the BCTGM Union Label!
SNACKS/CHIPS Frito-Lay, Inc., Rold Gold Pretzels Canton, Ohio (Local 19)
UTZ Pretzels/The Bachman Company Reading, Pa. (Local 6)
Frito-Lay
Topeka, Kan. (Local 218) Vancouver, Wash. (Local 364)
Pirate Booty, Keystone Foods Products, Inc. Easton, Pa. (Local 6)
Mike-Sell’s Potato Chip Co. Dayton, Ohio (Local 57)
Happy’s Potato Chips/Old Dutch Foods St. Paul, Minn. (Local 22)
Hostess/Frito-Lay Potato Chips Levis, Quebec (Local 480)
YOGURT & KEFIR Dannon Yogurt
Minster, Ohio (Local 19) West Jordan, UT (Local 401)
Lifeway Kefir products Chicago (Local 1)
BREAD & ROLLS Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A.: Bimbo, SB Thomas, Sara Lee, Nature’s Harvest, Earthgrains, Freihofer, Colonial, Metz, Arnold, Brownberry, Oroweat, Entenmann’s, Ball Park, Marinela, Maier’s, Beefsteak, D’Italiano, J.J. Nissen, Boboli, Mrs. Baird’s, Heiner’s, Tia Rosa (tortillas), Stroehmann
PASTA
Canada Bread: Dempsters, Bens, Bon Matin
New Hope, Minn. (Local 22)
George Weston: Wonder, D’Italiano Boudin Bakeries
San Francisco (Local 24) 8
Ebro Puleva
Fresno, Calif. (Local 85)
Dakota Growers Pasta Co. Ronzoni Foods Canada (New World Pasta) Montreal, P.Q. (Local 227)
BCTGM News
North America
e in
CRACKERS
SWEET GOODS
Keebler Town House, Club, Zesta
Safeway Bakery
Cincinnati (Local 253)
Dare Foods: Grainsfirst, Vinta, Care Crisps, Breton, Vivant Kitchner, Ontario (Local 264)
BAKED BEANS Burnham and Morill (B&M) Portland, Maine (Local 334)
Seattle (Local 9), San Francisco (Local 24), Sacramento, Calif. (Local 85), Portland, Ore. (Local 114), Washington, D.C (Local 118), Oakland, Calif. (Local 125)
Hostess Brands, LLC: Ding Dongs, Twinkies, SnoBalls
*Only Hostess Brands sweet cake products from Indianapolis (Local 1) and Columbus, Ga. (Local 42) bakeries.
Keebler Cookies: Soft Batch, Rainbow Chips Cincinnati (Local 253)
Voortman Bakery: All Voortman brand cookies Burlington, Ontario (Local 264) Vachon: Jos Louis, Passion Flakie, Granny’s Tarts, Pique, Swiss Rolls Ste-Marie de Beauce, Quebec (Local 480)
Are YOUR Nabisco Crackers and Cookies Union Made in America?
SODA POP Canada Dry, 7-UP, A&W Root Beer, Orange Crush, RC Cola Denver, Colo. (Local 26)
ICE CREAM TOPPINGS Masterson Company
More than 2,000 hardworking BCTGM members at Nabisco/Mondelēz plants in Chicago, Portland, Ore., Fairlawn, N.J., Atlanta, Richmond, Va. and Naperville, Ill. produce iconic Nabisco cookies and crackers. But Nabisco/Mondelēz has plants in Monterrey and Salinas, Mexico where they are offshoring American jobs and exploiting workers only to then ship the products back into the U.S. for consumers. Check the Label on the back of every Nabisco package before buying!
Milwaukee, Wisc. (Local 244) July/August 2017
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Bakery Workers Help EXPAND Thanks to the tenacity of a small group of Oregon bakers fighting to become members of BCTGM Local 114 (Portland, Ore.), nearly 200,000 Oregon manufacturing workers will benefit from strengthened overtime laws. In January, Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries changed how it interprets overtime laws as a result of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Portland Specialty Bakery (PSB) workers. The baking company was charged with violating an Oregon state law that requires overtime pay when workers employed in a mill, factory or manufacturing facility work more than 10 hours in a day. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries was forced to issue an immediate statewide correction to the overtime law. Seeking to overturn the changes, the business industry lobbied the Oregon state legislative session. H.B. 3458, Overtime Protections for Manufacturing Workers, began as a business-backed effort to strike down the worker-friendly legal interpretation of the law requiring overtime pay after 10 hours in factories and mills. BCTGM Local 114 organizers and Portland Specialty Bakery workers were called upon to testify during the legislative session. As a result of their
Portland Specialty Baking workers testified during the Oregon Legislative Session in July.
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Oregon OT Law Pictured outside the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, is (left to right) L. 114 member and lead organizer Alejandro Ahumada, L. 114 member and former PSB worker Ry Som, and PSB worker Margaret Brown. All three served as organizers during the campaign to join the BCTGM.
testimony and the efforts of the Oregon AFL-CIO, BCTGM and national AFL-CIO, the bill was amended and expanded to further protect workers. The revisions of Oregon’s overtime law guarantee 10 hours of rest between shifts of eight hours or more, a new weekly cap of 60 hours, and no mandatory workweeks longer than 55. Unionized workers are allowed to waive some of those provisions in their collective bargaining agreement. “The law adds several layers of protection for our manufacturing workers,” says BCTGM Local 114 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Terry Lansing. “But what I really like is that if an employer sees the law as too restrictive, then the employer can recognize a Union to represent the workers and negotiate a work week that works best for them and the workers. The law is an aid in organizing workers. And organizing the unorganized is worth the effort,” Lansing concludes. Oregon also passed two pieces of first-in-thenation labor legislation: cracking down on abusive scheduling practices by employers, and preventing local jurisdictions from passing antiunion “right-towork” ordinances. Portland Specialty Baking workers voted in a NLRB union election in February 2016. But as a result of an intense anti-union campaign led by the company, the vote fell short. Workers continue their effort to join BCTGM Local 114. BCTGM News
——AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, Washington State Labor Council Convention
“These rollbacks of critical public protections will leave American workers, consumers and children vulnerable on a daily basis to risks such as air and water pollution, unsafe products and tainted food, dangerous workplaces and a newly deregulated Wall Street that once again could threaten economic collapse.” — Amit Narang, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division, reacting to the Trump Administration’s announcement that hundreds of proposed protections for workers and the environment will be scrapped.
“It’s amazing how people can get so excited about a rocket to the moon and not give a damn about smog, oil leaks, the devastation of the environment with pesticides, hunger, disease. When the poor share some of the power that the affluent now monopolize, we will give a damn.”
“Never before in modern history have the essential differences between the two major American parties stood out in such striking contrast as they do today.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932 Democratic National Convention, calling for a “new deal” to “restore America to its own people.”
“Who I was at the time was a breastfeeding mother of a 4-monthold—and I didn’t have a babysitter, so I promptly took Sasha to the interview with me. And I thought, look, this is who I am. I’ve got a husband who’s away. I’ve got two little babies. They are my priority. If you want me to do the job, you’ve got to pay me to do the job and you’ve got to give me flexibility, and flexibility means that I will work my tail off for you, but you better pay me and value my family.”
—Cesar Chavez
July/August 2017
PHOTO: IBEW
“Resistance is working. But it’s persistence that will get us where we need to be. The war on workers didn’t just start with Donald Trump…this has been going on for decades. The ultra-rich and their political allies have been rigging the economic rules to keep more money and power for themselves. CEOs have held wages down and prevented workers from forming unions. States have chipped away at worker rights under the guise of promoting freedom. And the gap between the rich and the rest of us has gotten larger and larger.”
www.bctgm.org
—Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, 2014 White House Working Families Summit, recalling a time when she struggled with a work-life balance. 11
2018 Budget CUTS Social Security, GUTS Medicare
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n mid-July, the House Budget Committee passed the fiscal year 2018 budget that would make massive cuts to Medicare and Social Security, despite President Trump’s campaign pledge to keep those entitlement programs intact. Drafted by Chairwoman Diane Black (R-Tenn.), the spending blueprint seeks to balance the budget on the backs of middleincome and working class Americans. While spending would be cut by $5.4 trillion over 10 years, decimating domestic programs, the budget would not close any tax loopholes or require the wealthy to pay their fair share. Perhaps most troubling, the measure requires at least $203 billion in cuts from areas such as nutritional assistance, aid to needy families, seniors and people with disabilities, and would require just 51 votes to pass the Senate. It also lays the groundwork for a fast track process for Congress to begin overhauling the tax system. According to the Tax Policy Center, 96% of the reform proposals outlined by Speaker Paul Ryan would benefit people making above $1 million dollars. ENDS MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT
• The bill cuts Medicare by $487 billion, increases premiums by 25%, • Raises the Eligibility Age to 67. This would increase out-of-pocket health care costs by $2,200 a year for nearly 5 million individuals ages 65 and 66. • Voucherizes Medicare. The budget calls for an end to Medicare’s guaranteed benefits. Instead, beneficiaries would receive a fixed stipend, e.g. a coupon they could use to either purchase insurance in the private market place or traditional Medicare. The coupon would not be sufficient to cover the premiums, deductibles and co-pays, and seniors and people with disabilities would have to spend more out-of-pocket each year. • Raises Income Related Premiums. Today 5% of Medicare beneficiaries (individuals with income over $85,000 and couples incomes above $170,000) pay 12
higher Medicare Part B and D premiums. The White House budget calls for more seniors to be subject to means testing. GUTS MEDICAID
Medicaid, which provides health insurance for poor, elderly, and people with disabilities, would be cut by $1 trillion and beneficiaries would be required to work to receive benefits. The cuts would shift health care costs to states, leading to rationing of care or changes in eligibility. This would be especially devastating for older Americans and their families who rely on Medicaid to cover long-term care costs. CUTS SOCIAL SECURITY
The 2018 budget cuts Social Security’s supplemental-income and disability programs. It penalizes disabled individuals who attempt to work part-time in order to supplement their income, but — through no fault of their own – lose their jobs. This provision would reduce their SSDI benefits if they also receive Unemployment Insurance benefits. This provision cuts SSDI by $5.4 billion. GUTS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING
The budget cuts non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending by $893 billion. NDD includes funding for veterans, environment, transportation and many of the Older Americans Act programs that provide assistance to seniors. The budget set NDD funding at its lowest level relative to the share of the economy since 1962. Excluding funding for the Veterans Administration, NDD funding for FY 2018 would fall 20 percent below their 2010 levels. These reductions drew approval from the president’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, who previously served on the House Budget Committee. During his confirmation hearings, Mulvaney defended his support for raising the eligibility age for Social Security to 70 years old and said he continues to back means-testing for Medicare. BCTGM News
Sugar Beet Workers RATIFY NEW AGREEMENT
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n July 14, members of BCTGM Local 369G (Renville, Minn.) voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC). The new five-year pact includes healthy wage increases, yearly pension increases, improved death benefits, added language on new member orientation and other important language changes. Negotiations were led by Midwest Region International Vice President Jethro Head, and the Local 369G negotiating committee included Ryan Bentley, President, and members Randall Billmeier, Al Grosklags, William Johnson, and Joseph Savig. According to Head, negotiations became contentious when the company proposed replacing the defined benefit plan with a 401k for new hires, but the bargaining committee stayed resolute and vowed to fight for future generations of SMBSC workers. When all was settled, Head says the agreement is a win-win for the union and the cooperative. “This contract rewards the hard-working men and women who are dedicated to making this company successful, while also ensuring the company cost-certainty for the next five years,” notes Head. Shortly after the ratification, Minnesota Senator Al Franken called the officers of Local 369G to congratulate them on the settlement. The SMBSC CEO was also quite happy about the outcome of the contract talks. “Our union workforce – which constitutes approximately 400 employees – is critical to the success of our organization,” said Steven Domm, president July/August 2017
and chief executive officer of SMBSC. “We respect our employees’ right to collectively bargain, and we are very pleased that both parties came to the table and worked in good faith to reach an agreement that ensures another five years of strong relations and meets both the needs of our valued union members and our organization as a whole. This is a win for our employees, farmers and community.” Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative was founded in 1975 and produces refined sugar, liquid sugar, pulp pellets, molasses and separator molasses solubles from sugar beets. The Renville, Minnesota facility slices 3.6 million tons of sugar beets each campaign, producing 800-900 million pounds of sugar. The BCTGM also represents workers at other sugar beet producers including Amalgamated Sugar, American Crystal Sugar and Michigan Sugar, amongst others.
www.bctgm.org
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KIDS Not Cuts! BCTGM International staff joined hundreds of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and AFSCME members and Democratic members of Congress outside the U.S. Capitol to rally
in opposition to Republicans’ Trumpcare bill and budget proposal which would strip funding from students, teachers, nurses and health workers. The rally was led by AFT President Randi Weingarten. Speakers denounced the proposed budget cuts, which would fall heavily on schools and other vital social services. The education budget proposed by Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, which would devastate schoolchildren by slashing $9 billion from public education, $800 billion from Medicaid and $143 million that helps students afford college. The budget would take a meat cleaver to programs like after-school and summer programs, efforts
to reduce class sizes, mentoring for early-career teachers, child nutrition programs and community schools. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Rep. Steny Hoyer (DMD), Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) addressed the rally, calling on the Administration to invest in public education – not cut it. House Democratic Leader Pelosi noted that when asked about the three most important issues facing the economy, she always says the same thing, “Our children, our children, our children. Their health, their education, the economic security of their families, a clean safe environment in which they can thrive, a world at peace in which they can reach their fulfillment. What we have in this budget cuts their education, undermines their health care, and cuts Medicaid.” Senator Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
(D-Mass) proclaimed to the union crowd, “I’m here today with one simple message: no budget cuts for public education!” In addition to Congressional leaders, Weingarten, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFLCIO President Richard Trumka spoke out against the Trump budget. The union members and labor leaders lobbied members of Congress after the rally.
AFT Pres. Randi Weingarten BCTGM Intl. staff joined AFT members in lobbying members of Congress after the rally. 14
AFL-CIO Pres. Richard Trumka
BCTGM News
AT&T Wireless:
Why Should Union Members Choose AT&T? Union Strength, Union Solidarity AT&T employs nearly 150,000 members of the Communication Workers of America (CWA). That means when you visit an AT&T store, you’ll always be able to find a fellow union member to assist you. Meanwhile, AT&T has the nation’s largest network, covering over 99% of Americans.
Exclusive Wireless Savings, Just for Union Members • Union members can save 15% on the monthly service charge of qualified wireless plans, including 3 GB, 6 GB and 10 GB plans -- and 20% savings on select accessories from AT&T. • $25 Waived Activation Fee on Select Devices Whether you shop online or take the BCTGM Power/Union Plus coupon into an official AT&T store, you’ll save!
Other benefits may include: • $650 Switcher Credit: You could qualify to receive up to $650 in credits per line when you switch to AT&T. • Up to $250 in Cash Back Rebates: Union Plus Credit Cardholders may be eligible to earn up to $250 cash back from Union Plus. • Savings for Union Staff and Local Offices: AT&T offers special discounts for union staff and local union office employees.
Visit www.unionplus.org/benefits/home/att-discounts to download your discount coupon, locate a store or shop online. July/August 2017
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A strong manufacturing sector is essential to our nation’s economic success
DID YOU KNOW?
America’s manufacturing employment has declined and to our ability to raise wages and dramatically in recent decades, falling from a peak of more provide family-supporting jobs. But than 19 million in 1978 to just over 12 million today. decades of devastating trade policy and attacks on unions have taken their toll. The loss of factories doesn’t only devastate local communities, but drains the engineering and research jobs that power innovation. The United States must invest in critical manufacturing sectors and technologies and invest in people to meet the needs of the economy.
The BCTGM will continue to fight for a revitalized manufacturing sector and fair trade deals through polices that are good for working people, our communities and our economy.
“The NAFTA objectives don’t inspire confidence that the Trump administration’s actions will meet its rhetoric on trade. If the administration is serious about renegotiating NAFTA in a way that raises wages and creates good jobs, it cannot continue to promise significant trade policy changes on the one hand, and produce vague, unambitious objectives in its official communications on the other. These objectives largely replicate those of the failed Trans-Pacific Partnership and won’t satisfy the expectations the president created for a revival of America’s manufacturing heartland.” - AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, July 17, 2017
2.6
MILLION The number of manufacturing jobs displaced since 2001.