bctgm
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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The BCTGM International Union announced that it is endorsing Dan Osborn for election to the U.S. Senate representing Nebraska in the 2026 elections. β€œThe BCTGM is proud to support brother Osborn in his effort to bring a worker’s perspective to the U.S. Senate,” BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton said. Osborn is a former member of BCTGM Local 50G in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a long-time mechanic at the Kellogg Company facility in Omaha. In 2021, as President...

30 April, 2026

In the fall of 2024, ten workers in the only remaining non-union department at Bay State Milling in Tolleson, Ariz.β€”the milling departmentβ€”voted to join BCTGM Local 232 (Phoenix). β€œLocal 232 had already represented the packing, loading, warehouse, maintenance and sanitation workers in this plant,” explained Western Region International Representative Andrew Gutierrez at the time. β€œWe had heard from the group in the milling department through the online bctgm.org organizing form before, but it never panned out.” Workers...

02 April, 2026

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler sent a pointed letter to the lead Director of the private equity company Apollo Global Management about β€œa growing list of unaddressed workers’ rights violations alleged at various Apollo-owned portfolio companies”. Apollo, one of the largest private equity companies in the world, is one of the owners of Maker’s Prideβ€”formerly Hearthside Food Solutionsβ€”a giant co-manufacturing company that makes brands for Kellogg, Hershey’s, General Mills and MondelΔ“z/Nabisco. The BCTGM has many ongoing labor disputes...

20 March, 2026

The 42nd Constitutional Convention of the BCTGM International Union will be held July 28-30, 2026 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla. Delegates to the Convention, per Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution, must have been a continuously good-standing, dues-paying member of the International Union and local union the delegate represents for at least two (2) continuous years next prior to election. Per the official Convention Call, which will be posted online by May 1,...

01 February, 2026

Last Friday, President Liz Shuler convened State Federation and Central Labor Council leaders from locations targeted by the Trump Administration to strengthen Labor’s frontline solidarity in the face of escalating militarization and ICE abuse. β€œIt was great to join state federation and central labor council organizers for our Frontline Solidarity Convening,” Shuler said. β€œAmerica’s Unions are continuing to organize and mobilize so we are ready to defend all of our union siblings, regardless of immigration status.” In attendance was BCTGM...

20 November, 2025

Over one hundred delegates from BCTGM local unions in the midwestern U.S. met in Bloomington, Ill. for the annual BCTGM Midwest Region Conference. Local 342 (Bloomington, Ill.) hosted the two-day event, where delegates listened to speeches and presentations, gave local union reports and discussed issues like organizing, servicing and political action. International President Anthony Shelton, Secretary-Treasurer David Woods, Executive Assistant to the President Matthew Clark, Midwest Region Vice President Jason Davis, and International Representatives Veronica Hopkins and...

03 November, 2025

In a decision issued on September 17, Federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Arthur J. Amchan found numerous violations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by Hearthside Food Solutions (since renamed Maker’s Pride) in London, Ky. during last year’s Union organizing campaign. β€œThis was one of the most egregious Union-busting campaigns Earl and I have ever experienced,” reports East-Central Region International Representative Lisa Gregory, referring to BCTGM Local 57’s retired Business Agent Earl Farris who co-led...

25 September, 2025

50 delegates from local unions representing workers in Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta gathered this week for the 8th BCTGM Canadian Council. During the two days, local union leaders listened to speeches, compared notes for representing workers in today’s Canadian workplaces and caught up with one another as friends and union siblings. Speeches included a rousing address by President Magalie Picard of the Federation de Travailleurs-Quebec Federation of Labour, and a presentation...

19 September, 2025

Founded in 1895, the Tobacco Workers’ International Union (TWIU) was the official Union representing tobacco industry workers for much of the 20th century. In its early days, the Union’s biggest fight was against a large holding company called the American Tobacco Company – which had monopolized the tobacco market in the United States (see below: Union Label Becomes a Hot Commodity for more). Historic TWIU Union Label The decades to follow would see challenges that similarly mirrored...

05 September, 2025

Sixty-five members of BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago, Ill.) on strike against Teasdale Latin Foods have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement. This brings an end to the eleven-week strike that began on June 1. The workers at Teasdale process and can beans and other goods for major retailers across the U.S. Reflecting on the vote to accept the new agreement, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated, β€œThese hard-working members put it all on the line...

01 September, 2025

130 workers at the Bimbo QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) bakery in Denver have voted to join BCTGM Local 26 (Denver, Colo.). Workers in the facility bake buns and other bread products for use at quick service restaurants like Wendy’s, Burger King and McDonald’s. Bimbo Bakeries recently purchased the Denver facility, which was formerly named Mile Hi Bakery, and incorporated it into its QSR division. β€œLocal 26 has attempted to organize the Mile Hi workers in the...

29 August, 2025

PRINTABLE VERSION (PDF) BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago) Escalates Campaign for a Fair Contract as Strike against Teasdale Foods in Hoopeston, Ill. Enters Tenth Week Workers on strike at Teasdale Foods in Hoopeston, Ill. are building support nationally as affiliates of the BCTGM International Union and national AFL-CIO join their effort to inform store managers and the general public about the strike. The activists warn that any Teasdale bean products received by grocers which were produced at the Hoopeston,...

06 August, 2025

The BCTGM International Union is saddened to announce the passing of retired Executive Vice President Joseph Thibodeau. He was 88. β€œJoe served this great Union for 48 years before retiring in 2011,” reflects BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton. β€œHe remains one of the most dedicated and giving leaders this organization has ever had.” Thibodeau’s mother worked the night shift at Cushman’s Bakery in Portland, Maine for many years after his father died at a young age and...

17 July, 2025

On June 1, sixty-five members of BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago), went on strike at the Teasdale Latin Foods facility in Hoopeston, Ill. Teasdale Foods manufactures canned beans and hominy, sauces, spices and tortillas at plants across the country. The striking workers at Hoopeston, can, pack and distribute a variety of beans that are sold under the Teasdale brand, as well as under store brands including Walmart, Giant, Aldi and Jewel. The hard-working members are fighting against changes...

04 June, 2025