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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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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

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

The BCTGM International Union is saddened to announce the passing of retired Executive Vice President Joseph Thibodeau. He was 88. “Joe served this great Union for 48 years before retiring in 2011,” reflects BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton. “He 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

By Anthony Shelton, BCTGM International President Every four years, American citizens have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote for the President of the United States. The ability to vote in a free and fair election is the foundation of a democratic society, and it is up to each and every one of us to participate in this important process. Sadly, close to half of eligible voters in the U.S. do not vote. One group...

09 October, 2024

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 company’s negotiators to return to the bargaining table. Among the crowd, which gathered in front of the company’s headquarters at 521 W. 57th Street, were BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer...

19 October, 2023

The International Union has always made the health and safety of its members its highest priority. The pandemic, and the increased focus on America’s workplaces, gives the Biden-Harris Administration a unique opportunity to begin a meaningful transformation of the American workplace into something healthier, safer, more sustainable and more productive.BCTGM members deserve a workplace where deaths, illness and injuries are reduced to their lowest levels possible. Workplaces with lower injury rates also have reduced medical...

28 April, 2022

BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton is part of a coalition of labor leaders who released the following statement today ahead of the Senate’s vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court: “As the elected leaders of 27 unions and worker organizations collectively representing tens of millions of working people providing essential services across our great nation, we stand together in strong support for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the United States Supreme...

06 April, 2022

On October 5, 1,400 BCTGM members at Kellogg’s cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich. (Local 3G), Omaha, Neb. (Local 50G), Lancaster, Pa. (Local 374G) and Memphis, Tenn. (Local 252G) took a stand on the future of their workforce by going on STRIKE. Here are FIVE ways you can support them: 1) Sign Their Petition. Let the workers know you're with them! Add your name to their online pledge. 2) Join a picket line or drop off food/drinks/supplies. Here are the...

08 October, 2021

The BCTGM commends the passage of H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act. The legislation included an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term solvency for pension funds, including the B&C Fund, with no cuts in benefits for participants. The BCTGM was actively involved in the effort to get this proposal included in the legislation, working closely with the AFL-CIO and other affiliates. The battle now...

16 May, 2020

The AFL-CIO has updated its resources page for workers affected by COVID-19.The new updates include new information on food-related security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and resources provided by state federations and central labor councils, in addition to information about unemployment insurance in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It will be updated regularly with more resources and useful information. ...

14 April, 2020

There has been a lot of confusion about how seniors, retirees, people with disabilities, and veterans will receive the coronavirus stimulus checks they deserve. Seniors 62 and older who receive Social Security retirement benefits, including those affected by the windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO), individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and railroad retirees will automatically receive a stimulus payment. Payments will come automatically to your bank if you receive benefits via...

14 April, 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

Trade unions are key to making workplaces safer and healthier for all workers - however, often women's occupational health and safety is not given enough attention. The IUF has now published a resource on integrating gender into workplace health and safety. This resource includes a brief outline of the problem, specific concerns raised by IUF affiliates, and proposals for action. It includes a briefing on do it yourself research including body and hazard mapping, and a...

14 January, 2020

Nearly 50 years ago, in 1970, Congress enacted the OSH Act, promising workers in this country the right to a safe job. More than 594,000 workers now can say their lives have been saved since the passage of the OSH Act. Since that time, workplace safety and health conditions have improved. But too many workers remain at serious risk of injury, illness or death as chemical plant explosions, major fires, construction collapses and other preventable...

27 April, 2019

Today marks Day 17 of the government shutdown, now tied for the second-longest ever, and yet no votes to reopen the government are scheduled in the Senate. The AFL-CIO has called on all senators to reject consideration of any bills or business unrelated to opening the government. Every day that the government remains closed, more than 800,000 federal employees in all 50 states—from federal air marshals to Smithsonian cafeteria workers—go without pay. The House of Representatives passed...

07 January, 2019