Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
May/ June 2011
Volume 13 Number 3
the PRESIDENT’s MESSAGE
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A Proud History and Honorable Tradition
his year, the BCTGM celebrates a century and a quarter of service to the men and women working in our industries in the United States and Canada. Behind this single statement is a history filled with struggle, courage, fortitude and dedication that is inspiring and somewhat humbling for all who currently serve in leadership positions at all levels in this great organization. BCTGM members today continue a rich tradition established by those who came before us in the Journeymen Bakers National Union of the United States, the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union, the Tobacco Workers International Union and the American Federation of Grain Millers. Throughout a long and distinguished history, the purpose of our Union has remained constant, “… (T)o promote the material, intellectual and general welfare of all workers in the baking, confectionery, tobacco, grain milling, kindred and other industries…” (Article I, Section 2 of the BCTGM Constitution). In preparing this edition of the BCTGM News, we took some time to explore the archives of the Union’s publications. What was striking in this review was the consistent nature of the challenges we have faced throughout our history. While the names of our employers may have changed over the years, their resistance to recognizing the legitimate rights of workers, their reluctance to share fairly the profits made possible by workers and their relentless quest to secure the cheapest labor possible have never changed. That is why our work today remains so similar to that of our predecessors 125 years ago, 75 years ago or 25 years ago. What was also clear in looking through the archives was that the ability of politicians to profoundly impact the lives of working men and women and organized labor has been a reality since the earliest days of the labor movement. The founders of this organization wisely recognized the power of the political and legislative process and mandated in the Constitution’s Declaration of Principles that, “Our responsibility as a chosen leader of working men and working women impels vigilant challenge of all threats against their rights as citizens through anti-social and anti-labor legislation.” We honor that mandate today with a comprehensive and effective grassroots and national political and legislative program. But the greatest constant, the one element of trade unionism that most closely ties BCTGM members from one generation to the next, is the paramount importance of organizing the unorganized. Organizing has been and always will be the lifeblood of this Union. A front page article from the October 14, 1933 edition of The Bakers’ Journal, the official publication of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union of America, brings home this point. The article was headlined, “Bakery Workers! The Time to Organize is Now!” With American workers then trapped in the jaws of the Great Depression and fighting just to survive each day, our Union at that time was espousing a simple, but powerful message, “There is no middle ground for the workers. Necessity leaves them no choice. They cannot succeed unless they do organize.”
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With millions of Americans out of work today and employers utilizing every resource at their disposal to keep workers down, the above quote is as true a statement today as it was when it was written nearly 80 years ago. Hanging on the wall directly outside my office is a framed affiliation charter for the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union granted by the American Federation of Labor (AFL, now the AFL-CIO) in 1904. It was a duplicate of the original affiliation charter issued to the Journeymen Bakers in 1887, just one year after the AFL’s founding. The charter was signed by the members of the AFL’s Executive Council, with the most prominent signature being that of Samuel Gompers, the Federation’s first president and the man considered the father of the modern American labor movement. Each day that I head into my office, this charter is a reminder of the longevity of our Union and its respected position as a stalwart in the house of labor. The greatest strength of the BCTGM is our steadfast adherence to the principles and ideals upon which this organization was founded 125 years ago. It has sustained us through good times and bad. These principles and ideals will guide us as the BCTGM faces the challenges and seizes the opportunities of the future. Each generation of BCTGM members must honor and build upon the work of those who came before us. Every member is a steward and beneficiary of this Union’s rich history and honorable tradition. For this reason, we can always say with great pride, “I am a member of the BCTGM.” Frank Hurt BCTGM 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.org Frank Hurt, Editor Corrina A. Christensen, Assistant Editor BCTGM General Executive Board President Frank Hurt • Secretary-Treasurer David B. Durkee Executive Vice President Joseph Thibodeau • Vice Presidents Steve Bertelli • Anthony L. Johnson • Sean Kelly Micheal T. Konesko • Arthur Montminy Robert Oakley • Randy Roark BCTGM General Executive Board Members Joyce Alston • Thomas Bingler • Edward Burpo Butch Henley • Barry Jenkins • Johnny Jackson Paul LaBuda• Richard Lewis • Danny Murphy Vester Newsome • Ron Piercey • Donna Scarano Brad Schmidt • Doyle Townson 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
Kraft Union Network F Meets in Sweden or the second time in five years, BCTGM representatives and other union leaders representing Kraft Foods workers across the globe met to discuss the vast changes taking place within the company. In 2006, union leaders from throughout the world who represent Kraft workers met in New York City for a two day conference. Under the guidance of the International Union of Food Workers (IUF), a world-wide federation of trade unions representing workers in the food, agricultural and hotel industries, union leaders discussed the continued globalization of the company, its changing labor relations attitude and brainstormed strategies to deal with the food giant. The result was the Kraft Union Network, a global union communication network committed to sharing information on the company with one another. Since that time, Kraft Foods has undergone several significant changes, including the acquisition of Groupe Danone’s biscuit business in 2007 and the acquisition of Cadbury in 2010. With this in mind, union leaders called a second meeting of the Kraft Union Network. The IUF convened the global
union meeting in Akersberga, Sweden May 10 and 11. Hosted by the Swedish Food Workers Union (Livs), the meeting included delegates from 23 unions with members employed at Kraft Foods, as well as unions attempting to organize Kraft workers. The goal of the meeting was to evaluate important developments at the company and to develop an effective union response. The focus of the meeting was twofold; to look at the impact the Cadbury acquisition was having on the company financially, as well as its impact on labor relations. The second focus centered around developing an action plan to advance union membership growth and union recognition at the local, national, and international levels. Delegates concluded that Kraft’s focus on meeting investor expectations was unsustainable for the long term and would put jobs, pensions and working conditions at risk. One of the greatest fears expressed by union representatives was that with Kraft’s cash flow constrained because of debt, the company would be forced to close facilities and outsource production.
It is something the BCTGM delegation is very familiar with. In North America, the BCTGM represents more than 4,000 of Kraft’s Nabisco and Christie Brown workers and yet in the last decade, Kraft has outsourced significant production to non-union cookie and cracker companies, or shifted production to Mexico. The result has been plant closings. It is a problem the unions in Europe are now facing as well. According to BCTGM International Representative Jimmy Condran who attended the meeting, the delegates agreed to select a small group of representatives from some of the key IUF affiliates to pursue such concerns with Kraft management. “I am very confident this smaller group of representatives will be able to take the next steps needed to address the needs of the unionized workers,” said Condran. “Individually, the company can whipsaw one plant or country against the other. But through communicating with each other and by strategizing our moves with one another, we can neutralize some of Kraft’s actions,” Condran concluded.
Pictured here are members of the Kraft Union Network that met May 10-11 in Sweden to discuss and evaluate important developments at the company, and to form an effective global union response. Intl. Rep. Jim Condran is pictured at far right.
May/June 2011
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The Largest Yogurt Plant in the B
CTGM Local 19 (Cleveland, Ohio) members employed at the Dannon Company yogurt plant in Minster, Ohio work hard to help make Dannon yogurt the top selling brand worldwide. The Minster plant is the largest yogurt manufacturing plant in the world, producing 230,000 cups of yogurt an hour, three million cups per day. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., Dannon has plants in Minster, Fort Worth, Tex. and West Jordan, Utah. BCTGM Local 401 represents workers at the Dannon plant in West Jordan. Dannon sells six million cups of yogurt a day in almost 100 flavors, styles and sizes. Dannon is owned by Danone, one of the world’s leading producers of packaged foods and beverages. The top-selling brand of yogurt worldwide, Dannon Co. products are sold under the Dannon and Danone names.
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BCTGM News
World is
BCTGM Proud Pictured here are BCTGM Local 19 members at work in the Dannon plant in Minster, Ohio.
May/June 2011
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Minn-Dak Sugarbeet Workers Win Significant Gains
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CTGM Local 167G (Grand Forks, N.D.) sugarbeet workers at Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative in Wahpeton, North Dakota, have ratified a new twoyear agreement. The negotiating committee and the company reached a tentative settlement covering the 288 workers on May 27 after six days of negotiations. According to Local 167G President John G. Riskey, the union successfully achieved the goals it had set out prior to negotiations. “Our members expressed to us very clearly that they wanted to protect their pension plans, maintain affordable health care coverage, and receive a fair wage increase. We were able to meet all of those expectations.” The new contract includes a four percent wage increase, preserves the defined benefit pension plan, and maintains the current health insurance plan. BCTGM Region 3 International Vice President Steve Bertelli, who led the negotiations with the local union negotiating committee, says that proper planning, research and outreach was the key to obtaining the good settlement. “We knew 6
what our members wanted, we knew how well the company was performing, and we knew how well the industry was doing. What our members asked for was certainly in line with how well the industry is doing right now,” notes Bertelli. Local 167G negotiating committee members included Lisa Christensen, Mike Kinn, Mark Anderson and Warren Retzlaff. Local 167G represents more than 1,000 workers employed by General Mills, American Crystal Sugar, Gavilon Group, Riverland Ag, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, CHS and North Dakota Mill and Elevator.
The importance of the sugarbeet industry has grown over the last two decades. In 1985, sugarbeet production comprised approximately 48 percent of total sugar production, compared to 52 percent for cane sugar. Today, suagrbeet production makes up almost 60 percent of total sugar production. The BCTGM represents workers at almost all of the major sugarbeet producers in the United States including Amalgamated Sugar Company, American Crystal Sugar, Michigan Sugar, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Co-op, Western Sugar Co-op, and Wyoming Sugar. Minn-Dak serves sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, the co-op processes the sugar beets into sugar and products such as molasses and beet pulp pellets (used in animal feed); the products are then marketed through agents worldwide. Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative is owned by its farmer/members, a group of some 480 sugarbeet growers. Founded in 1972, its customers include industrial users such as confectioners, breakfast cereal manufacturers, and bakeries.
What is a Sugarbeet? Sugarbeets are harvested annually for their roots. The source of one third of the world’s sugar, sugarbeets are grown commercially throughout the world in cooler, temperate climates. The main producers around the world are Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Almost sixty percent of the sugar produced in the United States comes from sugarbeets. Annually, more than 25 million tons of sugarbeets are produced on over 1.5 million acres, yielding approximately 20 tons of beets per acre and four million tons of refined sugar. There are 30 beet sugar processing factories in the U.S., all located in or near producing areas due to the deterioration of sugar content after the beets are harvested. When sugarbeets are processed into sugar, the entire beet is used. After sugar and molasses are extracted from the beet, the remaining pulp is processed into a nutritious cattle feed. BCTGM News
Tia Rosa Workers Ratify First Union Contract
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n May 27, bakery workers at the Tia Rosa Tortilla plant in Grand Prairie, Texas unanimously ratified their first union contract. Workers at the bakery, which is owned by Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A., produce tortillas and a variety of sweet goods and sweet breads. Widespread community support, worker education and rank-and-file activism led to an inspiring organizing victory on November 19, 2010 when the Tia Rosa bakery workers voted to become members of Local 111 (Dallas). Workers overcame an anti-union campaign and participated in various organizing education seminars to learn about the union. After the successful campaign, the negotiating committee was formed and knew exactly what the worker’s top priorities were going into negotiations. “Negotiations were intense and at certain points reached heated levels, but in the end both parties negotiated in good faith. We reached a mutual understanding which resulted in a fair labor agreement that will benefit both parties,” notes BCTGM International Representative Cesar Calderon, who led the negotiations. “We experienced a tremendous difference in attitude from management while the contract negotiations were taking place. I thank the representatives of the BCTGM International Union and Local 111 for having achieved a union contract with the additional benefit of respect from management,” said Rafael Ayala, who has been employed at the bakery for 10 years. Highlights of the collective bargaining agreement include: BCTGM Union Label printed on all products; BCTGM-PAC check off; new employee orientation program; grievance and arbitration language; bereavement leave improvements; work shoe program; 50 percent reduction on workers’ weekly contribution for uniform laundering cost; night differential pay; paid steward training; secured vacation, holidays and floating holidays; job bidding by seniority; seniority
May/June 2011
language; severance package; defined union pension and 401(k) plan; 75 percent reduction on employees’ weekly contribution on health care coverage; overtime pay after eight hours of work and 40-hour guarantee per week; and, substantial wage increases across the board with additional wage adjustments to reclassified skill positions. Reflecting on the hard work and dedication of the Tia Rosa workforce, Gilberto Flores, who was also a member of the organizing committee said, “We have worked hard for many years and helped this company grow. It was a rewarding experience to represent my co-workers during negotiations. I can speak for most when I say that our voice has been heard and we earned a fair contract.” Throughout the organizing campaign, BCTGM International Vice President Tony Johnson and Calderon conducted union informational seminars designed to educate Tia Rosa workers. “These seminars were fundamental in establishing a foothold towards achieving this victory. The workers were very eager to learn and in the end, it led to a win for the workers. The negotiating committee went into contract talks knowing exactly what to focus on,” reflects Johnson. “Each organizing campaign is different. It was inspiring to experience the process in which this group of Latino workers learned about their rights, overcame their fears, took collective action and got organized to improve their standard of living,” reflects Calderon. Tia Rosa’s workforce is 99 percent Latino from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Dominican Republic. “Despite the varying nationalities and cultures, this group came together and worked towards one objective and they succeeded. People throughout the area learned that workers are workers no matter what language they speak, where they come from and what their legal status is. The overwhelming conclusion was that all workers deserve to be treated with dignity, justice and respect,” concludes Calderon.
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Tia Rosa bakery workers overwhelmingly ratified their first BCTGM contract on May 27.
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The BCTGM Celebrates 125 Years of Full eighteen hours under the ground, Toiling and making bread! Shut off from air and light and sound, Are we alive or dead? Are we men with thought and resistless will, Or are we but batches of dough, That take their shape from the pan they fill? Is what I would like to know.
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— From “Song for the Bakers” by Enoch George Adams St. Helen, Oregon, 1884
n the latter part of the 19th Century, before the advent of machinery and the passage of laws designed to make the workplace safe, life was difficult for workers. This was when our union was born. Bakery workers were little more than slaves. They worked 16-hour days from Monday through Friday, as many as 23 hours on Saturdays and five hours on Sundays. Their workplace was the cellar bakeshop—characterized by poor ventilation, stifling heat, leaking sewage, cesspools of putrefying water and a population of rats and cockroaches. Bakers were required to board where they worked, their bedding consisting of covers used for molding bread, on call at any hour of the day or night if the boss needed flour unloaded, a horse harnessed or some household task performed. Life was hard for tobacco workers as well. In the cigarette-making shops, men and boys worked 10-hour days at clumsy machines, moistening tobacco with cold steam, squeezing it under enormous pressure into blocks and slitting it into cigarette-length shreds. Women and girls performed the delicate task of shaping the final product. Bent over stone slabs, they rolled the tobacco and pasted the paper, working under overseers who summarily rejected whole batches of cigarettes—causing the loss of as much as half a day’s pay—if the pasting was crooked, the paper soiled or the cigarettes too tightly or too loosely rolled. Men tobacco workers earned $16 a week and boys $4. The women, who were paid 70 to 80 cents for each batch of thousand cigarettes, average $12 a week. It was against this background that the first stirrings of trade unionism commenced. This year marks 125 years since our union’s founding convention in Pittsburgh, Pa. The BCTGM continues our historic fight for the rights of all workers within our industries by securing outstanding collective bargaining agreements that protect them on the job and give them the dignity, justice and respect they deserve. On these two pages are photos displaying workers in the early years of the BCTGM’s history. We will feature other historical highlights within this publication in the remaining 2011 issues of The BCTGM NEWS. 8
The founding convention of the BCTGM was held in Pittsburgh January 13-18, 1886. The delegates, representing local unions in the East, Midwest and South, called the new union the Journeymen Bakers’ National Union of the United States. A confectionery worker with hand-dipped candy.
A hand-roller at Allen & Ginter, Richmond, Va., in the 1880s.
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1890 BCTGM News
Strength and Solidarity
Women weigh candy at the Hershey, Pa. factory in 1920. A cellar bakery in 1910. horse drawn bread Adelivery wagon.
Hand stemmers tie tobacco in bundles which was then packed in large barrel-like containers to be transported.
In the 19 th century, cigar rolling was done by hand largely by male workers. Cigar rollers appointed “readers” from among their ranks to read aloud to them during work to alleviate boredom and educate the workers. The Cigar Makers’ International Union later became part of the Tobacco Workers International Union. Kellogg’s workers on the packing line in 1932.
Mill workers pack flour at Pillsbury in 1902.
1900 May/June 2011
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1920 www.bctgm.org
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Notable
Quotes “ But there is a very dark cloud on our horizon that will dim the bright orange glow we’re enjoying today— the Conservative majority government.” —Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress, addressing delegates at the 26 th CLC convention, about the great NDP gains in Parliament being overshadowed by the Conservatives election win.
“ In state after state and here in Washington, these so ca lled fiscal hawks are actually doing almost nothing to cut the deficit.” — AFL-CIO President Ric h Trumka, commenting on how fisc al conservative politicians at the state an d federal levels are cutting programs for the working class while at the same time giving increased tax breaks to the rich and to corporations.
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“
orkers.”
m killing w
s jobs fro OSHA stop
retary of sistant Sec s at a s A , ls e a h ic te — David M , speaking to delega ss of A ce H c S u s O e r, o th b La ay citing M rain in n o th ti ding e g conven dards inclu ed in 1987. n ta s A H S ss certain O tandard pa handling s
“ These cuts could seriou sly harm our ability to protect the fo od supply.” — Erik Olson , consumer p director of food and roduct safety programs at the Pew H ealth about budge Group, speaking t proposed by cuts to the FDA as House Repu blicans.
“ We see extreme angst in children— serious anxiety disorders. They are worried about whether Mom and Dad have jobs and they hear the talk about losing the house. Patients cannot afford to be out of work, so they are coming to work ill and with symptoms.” —Jean Ross, RN, a National Nurses United co-president, linking economic hardship to declines in health standards among both adults and children.
BCTGM News
Fourth Region Council Meets in Orlando
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Street titans, and multi-national corporations were elegates of the BCTGM Fourth Region Council pouring into so-called “grass-roots” organizations met in Orlando April 5–8 for three days of that were running anti-union, anti-worker, and antireports, presentations, discussion and debate. immigrant advertising campaigns. Each session got underway with an invocation Kaiser was hopeful however, when discussing the by International Representative James Rivers. The backlash workers have initiated against over-reaching first morning featured introductions of the Executive Republican governors. According to Kaiser, the blatant Officers, General Executive Board members and attack on the middle class by right-wing politicians at International Representatives in attendance, as the state and federal levels of government has “brought well as committee appointments and the reading of together union and non-union workers, young and old, communications. and all races and ethnic groups to combat this assault.” David B. Durkee, International Secretary-Treasurer International Executive Vice President Joseph and Director of Organization, gave a detailed, and Thibodeau struck a different tone and spoke about at times humorous, presentation on a wide variety the need for local union officers to ensure that of topics affecting BCTGM members. He began by their local union was being run professionally and looking at the fiscal crisis that has hit nearly all the efficiently. He discussed the importance of up-to-date states, and how some states—like Wisconsin, Ohio, bylaws, holding regular and Indiana—are choosing executive board and to target workers, teachers, The blatant attack on the middle class… membership meetings, public sector employees, has “brought together union and non-union corresponding regularly the poor and the sick as a workers, young and old, and all races and with the International’s means of getting out of their ethnic groups to combat this assault.” Communications financial woes. Department and Research Durkee discussed how Department, and staying on top of expiring contracts. money influences politics; whoever has the most money, Other speakers included Local 103 (Orlando) labor has the most influence. He explained that corporations lawyer Rich Siwica, and B&C Pension Fund Manager and right-wing billionaires were influencing everything John Beck. from energy and fiscal policy, to Supreme Court Justice In addition to Local 103, Local unions affiliated nominations, to lackluster regulatory reform. with the Fourth Region Council that were present at Assistant to the International President Harry the meeting included Locals 25 (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Kaiser noted the political environment in the United 33-G (Georgetown, Ind.), 42 (Atlanta), 65 (Tulsa, States and some of the challenges that progressives Okla.), 111 (Dallas), 117G (Shawnee, Okla.), 149 were facing. Kaiser discussed the amount of money (Memphis), 163 (Houston), and 366G (Edmund, Okla.). Republican billionaires like the Koch brothers, Wall May/June 2011
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BCTGM Scholarship Winners T
he BCTGM International Union proudly announces the winners of the 2011 BCTGM International Scholarship Program. Ten $1,000 one-time awards were presented to the students below. The winners were chosen from a total of 132 applicants from the U.S. and Canada. The BCTGM International Scholarship Program is an example of the union’s committment to higher education at a time when college costs continue to soar out of reach for many working families. Since 1962, the International has helped fulfill the educational dreams of students representing BCTGM families throughout North America.
Jennifer Brandt, daughter of Local 464 (Hershey, Pa.) member Timothy Brandt, employed at The Hershey Company. Jennifer will attend Elizabethtown College.
Hristo Ivanov, son of BCTGM Local 19 (Cleveland) member Nadka Ivanova, employed at Heinen’s Inc. Hristo will attend the University of Akron.
Carl Myers, son of BCTGM Local 203T (Richmond, Va.) member Scotty Meyers, employed at Philip Morris. Carl will attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
Elsanor Lam, daughter of BCTGM Local 31 (Long Beach, Calif.) member Wayne Lam, employed at Svenhard’s Bakery. Eleanor will attend University of California San Diego.
Deanna Wolf, daughter of BCTGM Local 3 (Greater New York, N.Y.) member Warren Wolf, employed at Entenmann’s. Deanna will attend the University of Rhode Island.
Anna Breidenbach, daughter of BCTGM Local 167G (Grand Forks, N.D.) member Paul Breidenbach, employed at American Crystal Sugar. Anna will attend the University of North Dakota.
Garland Poon, son of BCTGM Local 125 (San Leandro, Calif.) member Yu Qing Poon, employed at Sara Lee Bakey. Garland will attend California Polytechnic State University.
Samantha Davidson, daughter of BCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia) member James Davidson, employed at Stroehmann’s Bakeries. Samantha will attend Wilkes University.
Denise Mills, daughter of BCTGM Local 284G (Nampa, Idaho) member Kim Mills, employed at Amalgamated Sugar Company. Denise will attend Brigham Young University.
Jennifer Lewis, daughter of BCTGM Local 468 (Burnaby, British Columbia) member Valerie Baart, employed at Canada Safeway. Jennifer will attend University of the Fraser Valley.
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BCTGM News
CLC Holds 26th Constitutional Labour Convention
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he Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) held its 26th Convention May 9–13 in Vancouver, British Columbia. More than 2,600 delegates and guests from throughout Canada attended the event. Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson, wearing a Vancouver Canucks hockey jersey, opened the convention with an inspiring introduction. CLC President Ken Georgetti delivered the President’s address. In his speech he noted the recent stunning Canadian election results, which saw the NDP become the Official Opposition. “I have to say that after last week’s election results, the future is bright orange for the working people of Canada. Can you believe it? 102 NDP MPs in Ottawa! And thirty-nine percent of the members of that new NDP caucus are women. The NDP caucus also has the highest number of MPs under 30 years of age as well. If that isn’t the best present for the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the NDP by the Canadian Labour Congress and the CCF, I don’t know what is,” said Georgetti.
Georgetti also focused on the ways in which social media allowed the CLC and the NDP to push a pro-worker agenda during the election campaign that could not be ignored by the more conservative parties. “Finally, we are getting all parties to stop ignoring the needs of working people—that’s progress all by itself. And we are also making a real difference in the lives of workers with our effective political action strategy at every level— federal, provincial or municipal,” said Georgetti. He warned delegates that there is still much work to do because of the new Conservative Party majority in Parliament. “The Conservative agenda would slash public services to pay for even more corporate tax cuts—tax cuts that only create windfall profits— not jobs. We can’t let that happen.” Other speakers included Mike Harcourt, former Premier of British Columbia, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow, and Charles Ferguson, the awardwinning director of “Inside Job.”
Likely the most anticipated speaker of the convention was Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP. In a rousing speech, Layton suggested that Canadians be invited to become part of something bigger than themselves. Noting the election results, he said the NDP was ready to “launch a new chapter in Canadian politics.” He also discussed the need for Parliament to focus on the issues that matter most to Canadian citizens. “It’s time to get Ottawa working for the hard-working families of this country. Ottawa can do better. Ottawa must do better,” Layton concluded. Layton closed his speech by recalling the movement building that has been the hallmark of the NDP for fifty years. He stressed the need for Canadians to continue to come together to stop the Harper government. “We are not going to stop now. Stephen Harper is in power and we are going to take him on. We are going to take him on each and every day…by building the largest movement for change across the country,” concluded Layton to a standing ovation.
“It’s time to get Ottawa working for the hardworking families of this country. Ottawa can do better. Ottawa must do better.” — Jack Layton, NDP Leader May/June 2011
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40 Years Proud School to World
BCTGM L. 334 (Portland, Maine) member Pat Malloy recently was awarded a certificate marking his 40 years of union membership. Malloy, who is employed by Hostess, joined the union in September 1970. Pictured here, from left to right, is L. 334 Bus. Agt. John Jordan, Malloy proudly displaying his 40-year award, Intl. Vice Pres. Art Montminy and L. 334 member and Hostess Chf. Steward J.R. Abbott.
BCTGM L. 351 (Albuquerque, N.M.) participated in the School to World job fair for high school kids in New Mexico. The annual program is designed to allow high school students to explore areas of interest and possible career choices. More than 1,800 students representing 85 schools across New Mexico attended the School to World event and the BCTGM booth was among 400 career booths. The BCTGM booth included a vast display of union-baked products and L. 351 Pres. Earl Reed provided information on the union, products and employers. Pictured here is Reed at the BCTGM booth.
Steward Education
BCTGM L. 57 (Columbus, Ohio) members Margaret Kipfinger (left) and Doris Coates (right) were among thousands of Ohio union members to attend a rally in Columbus to protest Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), legislation that eliminates the rights of 350,000 public employees to bargain for middle-class jobs. Republicans in the Ohio Senate passed (by a 17-16 vote) S.B. 5 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed the controversial anti-union bill into law March 31, but the fight is far from over. BCTGM members throughout Ohio are among the activists collecting the 231,000 signatures needed to put the repeal of S.B. 5 on the Ohio ballot in November.
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Pictured here are BCTGM Local 114 (Portland, Ore.) stewards who attended a training on April 22. The seminar was led by Intl. Rep. Eric Anderson and L. 114 Bus. Agnt. Shad Clark. According to L. 114 Fin. Secy. Terry Lansing, the group shared information and discussed various ways of dealing with issues within their respective workplaces.
BCTGM News
Disaster Assistance
for Union Members through BCTGM Power Union members living in areas impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, who participate in BCTGM Power/ Union Plus programs may be eligible for financial assistance. BCTGM Power/Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help participants in the Union Plus credit card, insurance or mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to the recent severe weather. The money does not have to be repaid. To qualify for a BCTGM Power/Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, the union member must: • Have been a victim of the severe weather in counties designated by FEMA as qualifying for individual assistance. Visit the FEMA web site for a complete list of those counties, www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema.
To apply for a disaster relief grant, union members who participate in any of the following programs can call:
Union Plus Credit Card: 1-877-761-5028 Union Plus Mortgage: 1-800-472-2005 Union Plus Insurance: 1-800-472-2005
• Have experienced a significant loss of income or property within the last six months due to a disaster. • Have had a BCTGM Power/Union Plus credit card, union plus insurance policy or Union Plus mortgage for at least 12 months with the account or policy in good standing. • Describe his or her circumstances and document the income or property loss. Union Plus Mortgage holders may also be eligible to receive payment extensions or other special help. For more information about the BCTGM Power/Union Plus disaster benefits, visit UnionPlus.org/Disaster.
May/June 2011
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