After 20 years with the International Union, Harry Kaiser, Executive Assistant to the International President, retired on July 14. He served under three International Union Presidents.
Kaiser was hired by International President Frank Hurt in 2003 after serving as a political and legislative consultant to the International Union. After Hurtโs retirement in 2012, Kaiser served as Executive Assistant to International President David Durkee until his death in 2020. He continued to serve as Executive Assistant to International President Anthony Shelton.
โI have worked with Harry since he began with the Union and I was an International Representative. I can say without a doubt that Harry is one of the most dedicated people in the labor movement. From his extensive work on the Unionโs political and legislative issues, to helping me transition into the International Presidentโs Office following the death of President Durkee, Harry has served this Union and our membership with dedication and integrity.โ
– International President Anthony Shelton
Matthew Clark, who has served as the BCTGMโs International Director of Research and Education since November 2014, was appointed to assume the position of Executive Assistant to the International President following Kaiserโs retirement.
Clark was hired as a research specialist in the BCTGM Research Department in March 2000 after completing his Masterโs degree in Labor Studies at the University of Massachusetts in 1999. A native of Toronto, Ontario, he received his undergraduate education at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.
Shortly after beginning his work with the BCTGM, he was sent to Alabama to help with the Earthgrains strike. He has since assisted with research and analysis during every major contract negotiation, including Nabisco, Kelloggโs, Hershey, General Mills, BIMBO Bakeries USA and more. Clarkโs expertise in contract analysis proved vital during the Hostess strike in 2012, the Kelloggโs lockout in Memphis in 2014, and most recently during the 2021 BCTGM strikes at Frito Lay, Kelloggโs and Nabisco.
As Education Director for the International Union, Clark has assisted in the education of hundreds of Local Union officers who have completed the BCTGMโs New Officers Training program. Over the last two decades, he has also trained thousands of stewards throughout North America.
Clark worked closely with Kaiser on legislative issues, including those related to trade, pension reform, tobacco jobs, Made in America standards and country of origin labeling.
โMatthew and Harry have worked together as trade unionists and BCTGM educators and activists in every area of this Union for the last 20 years. I cannot think of a better person to assist me as we move forward in the next chapter of this great Union.โ
