Frito Lay Local 218 Members Ratify Historic New Agreement
Representing manufacturing, production, maintenance and sanitation workers in the baking, confectionery, tobacco and grain milling industries.
bctgm, bakers union, tobacco union, candy union, food workers, food workers union, grain millers, grain millers union, mondelez, nabisco, snack union,
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22 Apr Frito Lay Local 218 Members Ratify Historic New Agreement

Posted at 12:04h in Collective Bargaining, Frito Lay Strike by

Building on the strength and unity gained during the successful three-week strike at the Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas in July 2021, BCTGM Local 218 (Kansas City, Mo.) returned to the bargaining table and reached the best contract ever negotiated for these Frito Lay workers.

Negotiations were led by Midwest International Vice President Brad Schmidt. The bargaining Committee included Local 218 Business Agent Chantel Mendenhall and Local 218 Frito Lay members Kris Akin, Rodney North, Esther Fanning, Trever Smith and alternate Alexis Padilla.

The local union and Frito Lay returned to the bargaining table less than a year after the strike because the two-year contract negotiated in 2021 was retroactive to 2020. Frito Lay members worked without a contract for nearly one year before they went on strike. According to Vice President Schmidt, the companyโ€™s attitude at the bargaining table was completely different than it was in the previous round of negotiations that resulted in the strike.

According to Vice President Schmidt, the companyโ€™s attitude at the bargaining table was completely different than it was in the previous round of negotiations that resulted in the strike. โ€œOur courageous members had shown that they were willing to stand up for themselves, and for what they believed was fair. The company understood this going into negotiations and itโ€™s reflected in this agreement.โ€ Schmidt added, โ€œOur members should be proud of this Committee, proud of this contract, and proud of themselves for standing up and accepting nothing less than what they deserve. This contract is a true reflection of the strength and determination of Frito Lay workers.โ€

โ€œThis amazing contract would NEVER have been possible without the strike in 2021,โ€

– Local 218 Business Agent Chantel Mendenhall

โ€œThe bargaining Committee did an excellent job representing the needs of the members, but we all recognized this great contract was only attainable because of the brave individuals who stood up for themselves and went on strike last year.

โ€œDuring the ratification vote, so many people told us this was the best contract theyโ€™d ever seen,โ€ Mendenhall concludes.

The new agreement features wage increases of 11% over the course of the contract, a significant increase in shift differential, a $1,500 one-time ratification bonus and an additional week of vacation for members with more than 20 years of service.

In addition to the benefit enhancements, other changes included improved sick leave, improved bereavement leave and significant improvements to the attendance control policy.

Negotiators were able to secure, for the first time ever, parental leave language that will allow Local 218 members to take two weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

The new agreement runs from April 10, 2022 through March 29, 2025.

  • Midwest International Vice President Brad Schmidt (right) and Committee member Rodney North
  • Committee Members Rodney North, Trever Smith, Esther Fanning, Alexis Padilla and Local 218 Business Agent Chantel Mendenhall.
  • Kris Akin, Alexis Padilla, Rodney North, Midwest Intl. Vice Pres. Brad Schmidt, Esther Fanning and Trever Smith
  • Local 218 Business Agent Chantel Mendenhall (left) and Committee Member Esther Fanning
  • For 14 hours the day prior to the ratification vote, the Local 218 Committee held open meetings to explain the contract to union members.
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