18 Dec Milk-Bone Strike SETTLED
170 members of BCTGM Local 36G (Buffalo, NY) on strike against J.M. Smucker-owned Milk-Bone have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement. This brings an end to the seven-week strike that began on October 28.
Reflecting on the vote to accept the new agreement, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated,
โThis has been a difficult fight for our striking BCTGM workers and their families. I could not be more proud of these hard working members who put it all on the lineโand braved the frigid Buffalo elementsโto fight for a fair contract.โ
Union members stood strong for eight weeks against an increased cost to their health care, low wages and the companyโs blatant disrespect for the law and its employees.
In the end, their resolve secured a record wage increase over the course of the three-year contract. They will receive a signing bonus and holiday bonus to ease the transition back to work in time for the Holidays. Most importantly, the health care plan will remain affordable and the workers secured cost certainty for the duration of the contract.
โI am proud of the tenacity of our striking members at Milk-Bone and commend the union negotiating committee for their commitment to achieving a fair and just contract for the members of Local 36G. The members went out as one, uplifted one another throughout, and will come back to work as one.โ
โ BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton
Local 36G members received tremendous support from BCTGM Locals throughout North America, the Upstate New York labor community and the AFL-CIO and allied organizations. โThe SOLIDARITY of the Labor Movement was vital to this victory, as it always is,โ President Shelton asserted.