"NAFTA talks need to take a look at Mexico keeping wages down to compete with the U.S. and Canada." Check out this BBC World News report with AFL-CIO’s trade and globalization policy specialist Celeste Drake as she discusses the latest as the sixth round of NAFTA talks wrap up in Montreal. [video width="720" height="576" mp4="http://www.bctgm.org/media/2018/02/drake-v2-BBC_World_News-2018-01-29_14-31-24.mp4"][/video] ...
The Mexican government has filed legislation that would substantially weaken rights for working people. In response, the AFL-CIO filed a complaint alleging that Mexico is violating the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation, the NAFTA labor side deal. Mexico’s bill would lock in low wages and poor working conditions. It also would frustrate legitimate unions' efforts to negotiate together on behalf of Mexican workers, who work the longest hours for the lowest pay among all countries that are members of...
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report on union membership, which found that the number of union members rose by 260,000 in 2017. This reflects critical organizing victories across a range of industries, which have reaped higher wages, better benefits, and a more secure future for working people around the country. “In the face of a challenging year, the power of working people is on the rise,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Together,...
The Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith, has sent a letter to the CEO of the Super Bowl Host Committee, condemning the actions of "Taste of the NFL" director and Franklin Street Bakery owner Wayne Kostroski. "For more than a year, Franklin Street Bakery workers have been exploring whether to exercise their freedom to form a union so they can have a voice in the workplace and negotiate for a better life for...
Under the Trump administration, the number of federal workplace safety inspectors has sharply declined. Since President Donald Trump took office, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lost 40 inspectors through attrition and as of October 2, has not hired new inspectors to fill the vacancies, according to data obtained by NBC News. According the the findings of NBC, the departing inspectors made up 4 percent of the OSHA's total federal inspection force, which fell below 1,000...
It is vital that Congress address the nation’s growing pension funding crisis. The BCTGM believes that a legislative solution which provides pension plans with the funding necessary for long-term solvency without forcing trustees to reduce participants’ hard-earned pension benefits would be an important first step. After careful and comprehensive analysis, the BCTGM has determined that the Butch Lewis Act of 2017 (S.2147) is the most effective legislative proposal to address the pension crisis. Email your U.S. Senators urging them...
A Federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Just Born against BCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia) workers who went on strike in 2016. In a 15-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl ruled on December 29 that the company failed to prove that the Local 6 members violated a no-strike clause in the collective bargaining agreement. About 400 Local 6 members went on strike on September 7, 2016. Workers returned to work in late October 2016, although...
As BCTGM members and their families prepare to celebrate the holidays and welcome a New Year, we can look back at 2017 as a source of pride and optimism for our Union. While the BCTGM and our members certainly continue to confront serious and difficult challenges, we head into 2018 fully prepared to take whatever action is necessary to improve the lives of our members and bring the benefits of BCTGM membership to more workers...
In less than two months, Superbowl 52 will be held in Minnesota. As part of the festivities, a charity called “Taste of the NFL” will hold a party with the rich and famous to raise money for food shelves to help “Kick Hunger.” Raising money for food shelves is a great cause, but “Taste of the NFL” Executive Director Wayne Kostroski reportedly pays workers at his Franklin Street Bakery so little that they must use these...
Plan to buy gifts to give this holiday season? If you buy union, you’re helping keep good jobs in America and supporting businesses that pay working families a living wage with benefits. Union-made gifts and services can be hard to find. Here are some ideas to consider: Clothing American Rootswear is 100% American Made, Union Made! The company mission: “To create good jobs in the United States, deliver a quality product, have a commitment to our community, our...
Days after Congressman John Lewis stood with Nabisco workers and faith leaders in Washington to release the IWJ report on Mondelez/Nabisco outsourcing, Representatives Donald McEachin (D-Va.) and John Lewis (D-Ga.) have sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer urging a dramatic NAFTA rewrite. McEachin and Lewis are asking for strong, enforceable labor standards that raise wages in Mexico, reduce incentives for outsourcing to companies such as Mondelez/Nabisco, encourage domestic investment and support American...
During a press conference held at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington D.C., Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) released a detailed report, “Breaking Faith: Outsourcing and the Damage Done to our Communities” that reveals the impact of Mondélez-Nabisco’s outsourcing and exploitation of workers in both the U.S. and Mexico. Over the last several months, Interfaith Worker Justice led a coalition of faith and labor representatives to cities where BCTGM members produce Nabisco products at Mondélez-Nabisco bakeries. In each location—...
GOP politicians are fighting hard to pass a deficit-exploding tax bill that would kill jobs, take away health insurance, raise taxes on working families and much worse, all for a massive giveaway to powerful corporations and the rich. Our leaders should fight for working families and our communities instead. President Donald Trump and the GOP are hustling for a tax plan that would change American life in terrible ways by cutting services, killing American manufacturing, weakening...
The 40th Constitutional Convention of the BCTGM International Union will be held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, August 8-14, 2018. 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 immediately preceding the Convention prior to being elected as a delegate. According to the official Convention...
In Edina, Minn. today, BCTGM Local 22 members, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation and union supporters demonstrated outside of Interlachen Country Club where Franklin Street Bakery part-owner Wayne Kostroski was speaking on/raising money for his Taste of the NFL charity. The activists demonstrated in solidarity with the workers who have been trying to organize a union at Franklin Street Bakery for more than 18 months. Listen to Local 22 President Bruce Peglow explain the other side of bakery owner Wayne Kostroski's...