The Biography of Milo Malcomb

Milo Malcomb is 47 years old and happily married to his wife Dottie. He was hired at Weston-Interbake on April 24, 2007--two weeks after workers lost their first attempt to join BCTGM Local 68.

Milo enjoys fishing, hunting and camping on his off time. He took great pride in his job and was recognized for his hard work by management. He has received more than a dozen outstanding achievement awards for his knowledge and hard work at the plant. Milo didn't realize he was putting his career on the line by simply exercising his American right to sign a union card and campaign for BCTGM Local 68.

Milo was promoted to a Lead maintenance position for his outstanding workmanship. In January 2008, Milo not only signed a BCTGM union card but agreed to take an active role in getting workers what he believed was needed at Weston-Interbake--union representation.

Soon after signing a BCTGM Local 68 union card, Milo was stripped of his duties as a Lead and his paycheck was docked. The head of maintenance regularly threatened union supporters. However, this didn't stop Milo from getting all the information he needed about his rights to campaign for unionization.

Unfortunately, Weston-Interbake management ignored federal laws that are supposed to protect American workers: the freedom to associate, the freedom to sign a union card and the freedom to campaign for a union. Milo was fired.

After management fired Milo, he applied for unemployment and started searching for a job. Weston-Interbake management attempted to block Milo from receiving unemployment benefits. However, after a hearing before an Agent of Virginia's Unemployment, the State ruled in Milo's favor and awarded him unemployment benefits.

With an outstanding work record and experience as a maintenance worker, it wasn't long before a well known union shop hired him. However, Milo was laid-off from his new job.

Fortunately, Milo's wife Dottie is employed and this helps pay the bills. But like too many Americans, they are surviving without medical insurance. "I've been stressed out ever since my termination," said Milo. "I've never been fired from any job in my entire life and because I exercised my rights I find myself unemployed."