02 Apr Milling and Baking News | In the Eye of the Storm: David B. Durkee
In January, BCTGM President David B. Durkee sat down for a 2-part interview with Joshua Sosland of Milling & Baking News to speak from the Unionβs perspective on the ongoing situation at Hostess.
In part one of this interview, Sosland focuses on Durkeeβs background and the philosophy of the Union.
βThe philosophy always was and remains, βItβs all about the members.β That was drilled through us every single day.
βAnd retired BCTGM President Frank Hurt, to the very last day he was here in December, said, βThis unionβs done more for me than I could ever do for it.β That sums up how weβre supposed to conduct ourselves,β Durkee said.
In partΒ two, DurkeeΒ discusses the tangled history that resulted in a complete impasse between the BCTGM and Hostess Brands management in the period leading to the liquidation of Hostess.
βWe can hold our heads high because we had a very honorable dispute with Hostess.β Durkee said. βWhat our members wanted is what happened. I was taught many years ago in this business that when you go to bed at night youβve got to be able to put your head down and go to sleep comfortably. And weβre able to do that here.β