Southern and Midwest Pattern Settlement Reached with BIMBO Bakeries
Representing manufacturing, production, maintenance and sanitation workers in the baking, confectionery, tobacco and grain milling industries.
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03 Dec Southern and Midwest Pattern Settlement Reached with BIMBO Bakeries

Posted at 13:56h in Collective Bargaining, International News, Local Union News by

On November 5, BCTGM Local Unions representing Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) facilities in the Southern and Midwest Regions reached agreement on a “pattern” settlement impacting thousands of workers in the bread and cake sector.

The new five-year agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by Local 65 (Oklahoma City, Okla.) members at the BBU bakery in Oklahoma City, officially setting it as the wholesale pattern for the industry.

Due to the pandemic, only the negotiating committee met in person in Oklahoma City. The policy committee was consulted via video conference call to approve the pact before it was presented for ratification. In Oklahoma City, all precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the negotiating committee including social distancing, room sanitization, masks and temperature checks.

Wages and health and welfare benefits were the primary focus of the negotiations; however, the negotiating committee was also able to establish two days of paid steward training for local unions.

“While we spent significant time negotiating health and welfare benefits and wage increases, we also spent significant time discussing servicing the membership, union solidarity, organizing and grievance handling.”

– International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods

Woods co-chaired the negotiating committee with BCTGM Midwest Region International Vice President Brad Schmidt.

Additionally, Woods says paid steward training will allow the local unions to improve their locals with better prepared and educated shop stewards.
“Negotiations were tough but we had a great negotiating team, we were well prepared, and at the end of the day, we reached a deal that benefits our members and their families and ensures that Bimbo will maintain its dedicated workforce,” said Schmidt.

The new agreement calls for wage increases over the duration of the five-year contract, and most importantly, the new contract preserves members’ defined benefit pension plan.

“I would like to give a special thank you to David Woods, Jason Thomas, Jason Skillern and the rest of the Executive Board of Local 65. Thank you for getting us the largest pay increase that we have had in the 17 years that I’ve been with the company! We really appreciate all of your hard work. Now, let’s get started on the next contract!” said Local 65 member Tyson Chevado.

Leading the negotiations with Woods and Vice President Schmidt, was International Representative Jason Davis, International Organizer/Business Agent Jason Thomas, Local 433 (Sioux City, Iowa) President Paula Steig, Local 1 (Chicago) President Donald Woods, Local 65 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Jason Skillern, Local 280 (Evansville, Ind.) Financial Secretary-Treasurer Earl Ferris and Local 111 (Dallas) Financial Secretary/Business Agent David Menefee.

Led by Southern Region International Vice President Zach Townsend, the policy committee included Local 22 (Minneapolis) President Wally Borgan, Local 218 Financial Secretary/Business Agent Mark Benaka, Local 25 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) Financial Secretary/Business Agent Jeff Webb, Local 42 (Atlanta) Business Manager David Cooper, Local 103 (Orlando, Fla.) Business Agent David Walker, Local 149 President Letitia Malone and Local 163 (Houston) Financial Secretary-Treasurer Donald Pierce.

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