On October 28th, 165 members of BCTGM Local 36G went on strike against Milk-Bone (owned by J.M. Smucker) in Buffalo, New York. The workers are fighting against an increased cost to their health care, low wages and the companyโs blatant disrespect for the law and its employees. You can download a Fact Sheet on their strike here. Here are THREE ways you can help BCTGM Local 36G HOLD THE LINE: 1) Join the picket line or drop off...
Approximately 50 allies from Labor and other advocacy organizations rallied in New York City yesterday in support of BCTGM Local 390G workers on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Memphis, Tenn. The rally called attention to the strike, now in its fifth month, and urged the companyโs negotiators to return to the bargaining table. Among the crowd, which gathered in front of the companyโs headquarters at 521 W. 57th Street, were BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer...
Local 390G members at IFF have been working under the terms of an expired contract since last year. Negotiations halted after the company's last, best, final proposal included major health care and retirement takeaways and changes to overtime. Workers voted down the offer and hit the picket line โ forgoing pay to fight for a fair collective bargaining agreement that rewards them for their hard work. Here is what Local 390G members have to say: Iโm...
Each day, we'll feature members of Local 390G on strike against IFF in Memphis, Tenn. who will explain why they made the courageous decision to go out on strike. Their demands, including overtime pay after eight and no dramatic changes to their health insurance, boil down to a call for respect that theyโre not getting. Going out on strike places a tremendous burden on workers and their families but workers in Memphis are fighting for their future....
On June 4th, nearly 200 members of BCTGM Local 390G went on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Memphis, Tenn. The workers produce soy protein products which are used by companies including Nestle, Nestle Purina and Abbott Nutrition to manufacture baby formula, pet foods, soy-based nutritional powders and other food and beverage products. They are on strike because the company refuses to bargain in good faith for a fair contract. It is demanding to...
On June 4, after working under the terms of their expired contract for more than a year while the company refused to negotiate a fair contract protecting their health insurance and overtime, Local 390G members went on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Memphis, Tenn. The Local 390G members produce soy protein products which are used by companies including Nestle, Nestle Purina and Abbott Nutrition to manufacture baby formula, pet foods, soy-based nutritional...
More than 120 members of BCTGM 100G (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) on strike against Ingredion Corporation in Cedar Rapids voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, bringing an end to the nearly six-month strike that began on August 1. Reflecting on the vote to accept the new agreement, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated, โThis has been a long and difficult fight for our striking members and their families. With each new day on that picket line,...
BCTGM Local 85 members who work at the Corn Nuts plant in Fresno, Calif. have voted to accept a new collective bargaining agreement. Approval of the contract ends the BCTGMโs strike at the Hormel-owned Corn Nuts production facility which began on August 15, 2022.In commenting on the ratification, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton states, โOur striking members at the Corn Nuts plant courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a...
After two months on the picket line, Local 100G members on strike at Ingredion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa are fed up with the companyโs refusal to negotiate a fair contract. So the Union members decided to deliver a message up close and personal by traveling 250 miles from Cedar Rapids to Ingredion global headquarters in Westchester, Illinois. Local 100G members were joined by more than 100 Union members and supporters from numerous area unions for a...
International President Anthony Shelton and Secretary Treasurer David Woods have been crossing the country from Iowa to California to visit BCTGM members on strike. "Solidarity occurs when our members understand they are fighting for something bigger. They are fighting for all of their BCTGM brothers and sisters. They are fighting for all working people who deserve dignity and respect on the job!"- BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton President Shelton and Secretary-Treasurer Woods hit the picket line with...
Forty BCTGM members of Local 85 have gone on STRIKE at Corn Nuts in Fresno, Calif. (owned by Hormel) โWe are on strike at Corn Nuts because company is not bargaining in good faith. The company is reluctant to reach an agreement, is surface bargaining and changing the terms and conditions of the workersโ medical plan without notifying the employees or bargaining with the union before making these drastic changes.โ โ Local 85 Financial Secretary Jerry Gil This...
On August 1, BCTGM members of Local 100G in Cedar Rapids, Iowa went on STRIKE against Ingredion, Inc. Strike issues include: the outsourcing of the bargaining unit jobs,diminished seniority rightsthe elimination of guaranteed days off,an expanded management rights clause, anda wage scale that will move many membersโ wages backwards. Like our BCTGM strikes of 2021, Local 100G is fighting to end a 2-tier wage system and to provide significant wage increases for all employees (not bonuses). Here are...
More than 800 coal miners in Alabama have been on strike against Warrior Met Coal for more than one year fighting for better pay and benefits after making concessions to help the company survive. It is believed to be the longest strike in Alabama history. The strike, the first for the Alabama Mine Workers in four decades, began on April 1, 2021. On April 6, to mark the one-year anniversary of the strike, the United Mine Workers...
Included as special feature of the 2022 Western Conference, Local Union leaders and representatives discussed the lessons learned, inspirations and strengths gained through the 2021 strikes. The panel discussion included Local 26 (Denver, Colo.) President Cliffton Horton, Local 364 (Portland, Ore.), Business Agent Cameron Taylor, Local 364 Financial Secretary Mike Burlingham and BCTGM International Representative Karrie Setters. Moderated by BCTGM Director of Digital Media Michelle Ellis, the panel shared stories of the challenges and issues that...
BY HAROLD MEYERSON The American Prospect NOVEMBER 8, 2021 The Great Recession is long gone, but some employers insist that their employees work under recession-era constraints. Striketober is over but strikes still persist. At tractor manufacturer John Deere, 10,000 workers have rejected two successive offers from the company and still walk the picket lines. At Kellogg, the union representing the 1,400 workers who turn out the nationโs breakfasts has refused the companyโs offers, which have addressed none of the...