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Representing manufacturing, production, maintenance and sanitation workers in the baking, confectionery, tobacco and grain milling industries.
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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. “It was great to join state federation and central labor council organizers for our Frontline Solidarity Convening,” Shuler said. “America’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. “This 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, “These 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. “Local 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. “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

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

Most people believe the sugar they use and consume every day comes from sugarcane, but in the United States 60% of it is Union-made from sugar beets in the cooler climates to the north. BCTGM members make nearly all of the U.S.-made sugar from sugar beets. BCTGM Intl. Pres. Anthony Shelton tours the Twin Falls, Idaho Amalgamated Sugar Co. facility with Asst. Plant Mgr. Jorge DeVarona. “This time of year our farmers are planting sugar beet seeds...

28 May, 2025

“As a lifelong Union activist myself, I have found much fulfillment in retelling the stories of social justice activism through my art,” says retired AFSCME Council 31 Local 3506 Member and Artist Activist Stephanie Weiner. “A lot of my art is about Union organizing in the Southwestern U.S., especially New Mexico.” Weiner first learned of BCTGM Local 351’s (Albuquerque, N.M.) 2018 ‘Union T-Shirt Day’ from watching archived Union interviews at the University of New Mexico. “Andrew’s interview...

16 April, 2025

On April 5, BCTGM members gathered with labor allies and community members across the U.S. to tell President Trump, Elon Musk and Republicans in the House and Senate: Hands Off Our Unions! According to BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton, this is personal for BCTGM members. “In only two months, the Trump Administration has gutted federal agencies, paralyzed the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and eliminated important health and safety protections for workers across our industries,” Shelton...

08 April, 2025