Coronavirus
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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by the Union Veterans Council  COVID-19 - Experts tell us, social distancing is our strongest life-saving tool when it comes to fighting the novel coronavirus, but for veterans, social distancing isn't as easy as it may be for others. Along with social distancing, many are facing sudden job loss and loss of wages during this pandemic, creating the "perfect storm" for a mental health crisis in our veteran's community. A large number of veterans are at risk of...

04 April, 2020

Frontline workers in food manufacturing, in distribution centers, stocking shelves at grocery stores and delivering food have become a lifeline for millions of working people who are staying home during the COVID-19 crisis. Jobs Report Payrolls dropped by 701,000 in March, according to the Labor Department. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent from 3.5 percent. Businesses who receive federal funding from the CARES Act have a legal and moral responsibility to put their payroll before profits....

03 April, 2020

Democratic congressional leaders are working now on the next emergency legislation to deal with the catastrophic economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Schumer are fully supportive of labor’s call for including multiemployer pension relief as a top priority in the next round of stimulus and recovery legislation. Labor had fought to include multiemployer pension relief in the most recent stimulus legislation, but Senate Republican Leader McConnell blocked...

02 April, 2020

From Pittsburgh trash collectors and Amazon warehouse pickers, to Instacart shoppers and Whole Foods workers, workers throughout the U.S. have either walked off the job or held protests for higher pay and better protections during the coronavirus pandemic. Read this article by Dave Jamieson about how nonunion workers are rising up and demanding safe workplaces during this global health crisis. The pandemic has revealed just how poorly many companies treat their employees. Will workers continue...

02 April, 2020

While the vast majority of companies that employ BCTGM members have enacted new emergency policies to protect the health and welfare of its workers during the Coronavirus pandemic, a few have not. One such company is the Sara Lee Frozen Bakery in Traverse City, Michigan. Owned by the $7.5 billion private equity firm Kohlberg and Company, management has not offered any added protections or incentives to workers who have continued to work as part of the...

30 March, 2020

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning much about it, including how it spreads. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has developed a training tool that is designed to aid in the development of awareness-level courses for workers in a broad array of industries and will be updated with new information as the situation evolves. COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning much about it, including how...

30 March, 2020

The BCTGM supports the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748). This legislation includes a number of economic supports America’s workers immediately require including an expansion of the unemployment insurance program, increased funding for schools, hospitals and state and local governments, and relief for the airline industry conditioned on the protection of worker rights. Given the urgency of the situation, Congress should pass this bill and President Trump should sign it today.  As...

27 March, 2020

Late last night, the Senate unanimously passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. On its own, this bill will not be enough to revitalize our economy and keep people safe as the pandemic expands, but it is a step in the right direction. Congress will still need to act to protect workers. Through strong workplace protections and safety measures, we can continue doing our job and keep the rest of us healthy. Wins for workers in the...

26 March, 2020

BCTGM Workers play a vital role in helping ensure the continuity of the U.S. food supply The BCTGM represents thousands of workers at food processing facilities throughout North America who are working around the clock to keep grocery shelves stocked and food on the tables of working families in the United States and Canada.  The food processing sector has been deemed an ‘essential industry’ by federal and state governments in the United States. The importance...

25 March, 2020

Bimbo Bakeries USA has announced plans to recall BCTGM bakers to re-open a bread bakery in Hazleton, Pa. to support the recent surge in demand caused by the COVID-19 health crisis. BCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia) represented workers at the bakery until the bakery was closed last fall. The company will recall all of the former workers and voluntarily recognizes Local 6 as the exclusive bargaining agent for all employees. The company will implement a rapid...

24 March, 2020

On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act after negotiations with the White House. The bill provides certain workers with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 67% of the person's normal pay. The bill, supported by the President, is headed to the Senate. However, the bill does not provide this leave to workers at companies with more...

16 March, 2020

BCTGM members across North America work for many different employers, each of which will have different policies surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for you to know what measures your employer is taking to ensure your safety. If you are unsure of your rights at this time, please consult your local union leaders. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the measures for protecting workers from exposure to, and infection...

14 March, 2020

There is currently no vaccine to prevent Corona virus infection, the best way to protect yourself from infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Ways to protect yourself and others from coronavirus: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Stay...

13 March, 2020

Because we spend so much of our public lives at work, all workers need guidance on assessing their risk of exposure. Those who work in front line healthcare and transportation may be at the highest risk, while others will be at lower risk. (Click here to download this flier from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health) HEALTH RIGHTS AT WORKYour employer is responsible for providing proper training, relevant personal protective equipment, and record-keeping of possible...

13 March, 2020

The world is on the verge of a deadly coronavirus pandemic due to COVID-19 and the disease is now spreading quickly throughout the United States. The impact of the outbreak already has been far reaching and the threat is growing. Current estimates demonstrate that more than 19 million workers in the United States would have an elevated risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus in the event of a widespread outbreak, a significant portion of...

13 March, 2020