"There is this narrative that the union talked us into voting for it, and we are portrayed as a bunch of emotional children that can't make decisions. We knew what we were doing when we took concessions in 2005." Read the full TRUTHOUT interview with BCTGM Hostess worker Mike Hummel by Yana Kunichoff....
Below is an exerpt of theย November 25th article writtenย by Michael Hiltzik of theย Los Angeles Times.ย Click here to read the full article. ...
The following story was sent to us by a retired BCTGM Local 24 member. It is a true account of a dedicated bakery worker who grew up in and with Interstate Bakeries Corp. (IBC), in its various forms. Like his father before him, he spent his career working hard and supporting his family with good wages and the protection of a union contract. And like his father, he watched as the company was mismanaged and...
Today, 11/19/12, at 9:37 a.m. the BCTGM submitted the below document to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert D. Drain in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York, Hostess Brands Chapter 11 Case No. 12-22052 : JOINDER OF THE BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO WORKERS AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNION IN OBJECTIONS TO DEBTORSโ EMERGENCY WINDDOWN MOTION AND MOTION PURUSUANT TO SECTION 1113(e) OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE ย Click here to dowloadย the 16-pageย PDF...
Written by Richard Trumka for the Daily Kos This is the new American story, but someone finally stood up and said, “Stop!” Pundits should be applauding the Bakery Workers of Hostess Brands for standing up to Wall Street interests and standing for decent working standards and the middle class. The truth is that the Bain-style vulture capitalists invested in Hostess to profit not by making quality products, but by bleeding the company of every dollar before discarding it. They’re...
Download the full press release. Download an updated fact sheet. The following statement was issued by BCTGM International Union President Frank Hurt in response to the announcement by Hostess Brands that it would begin liquidation. โHostessโs announcement that it is liquidating the company is a deep disappointment for all of our Hostess members.ย While Hostess management wants to blame our members for the demise of the company, the truth is that had it not been for the valiant...
More than 3,300 union members and activists fromย 125 countries have signed messages of solidarity sent through the IUF to the BCTGM members on strike against Hostess Brands. The IUF is an global federation of trade unions that represents workers employed in the agriculture, food and beverage and tobacco industries. The BCTGM is one of ย 336 trade unions from 120 countries that belong to the IUF, which represents more than 12 million workers. It is based in...
The following statement was issued by BCTGM International Union President Frank Hurt in response to claims by Hostess Brands that it would begin liquidation should union members not end the strike and return immediately to production facilities: “The crisis facing Hostess Brands is the result of nearly a decade of financial and operational mismanagement that resulted in two bankruptcies, mountains of debt, declining sales and lost market share. The Wall Street investors who took over the...
Below are photos of Locked-Out American Crystal Sugar workers handing out boycott information in the Red River Valley last week. ย Read more aboutย their struggle here, and click here toย sign the pledge to boycottย American Crystal Sugar! ย ...
In a desperate attempt to break the solidarity and resolve of striking BCTGM members across the country, Hostess Brands is falsely claiming that its decision to close three of its bakeries -- St. Louis, Cincinnati and Seattle -- is the result of the nationwide strike against the company by BCTGM members. In fact, according to the companyโs 1113 filing with the bankruptcy court earlier this year as well as its last/best/final and non-negotiable proposal to its...
On Friday, November 9 BCTGM members employed by Hostess Brands across the country began to strike. These workers, many of whom have worked at Hostess and its predecessor companies for decades, are on strike in response to the companyโs unilateral imposition of a horrendous contract that was rejected by 92 percent of BCTGM Hostess workers in September. NEW:November 16 Fact Sheet NEW: November 16 press statement from BCTGM International President Frank Hurt November 15ย press statement from BCTGM...
โThe re-election of Barack Obama represents a major victory for this nation and working people. โPresident Obama has spent the past four years fighting to level the playing field for the American middle class.ย He has stood with working people and the labor movement time and time again on workersโ rights, workplace health and safety, job creation and economic growth.ย Today, that fight continues. Now it is time to stand with our President, united, to pursue...
Here are SIX SIMPLE STEPS you can take on Election Day to protect your voting rights. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE LOCATION of your polling place and your correct precinct. Many have changed, and a vote at the wrong place may not be counted. BRING IDENTIFICATION TO THE POLLS, preferably a government-issued photo ID with your registered address. Check your stateโs website NOW to ensure you have the proper ID. Several states have passed strict photo ID...
ย [caption id="attachment_2463" align="alignleft" width="195" caption="Union Member and co-owner Sergio Flores has been a baker at Dianda's for more than 30 years."][/caption] Union bakers at San Franciscoโs famous Diandaโs Italian-American Pastry Co. have been creating some of the cityโs most loved cakes and pastries since the Mission district bakery opened its doors in 1962. What is the secret to their long success? Happy workers, time-honored recipes and loyal customers. This well-loved neighborhood bakery is renowned for its immense...