theThe 2004 presidential campaignis already in high gear—a truly remarkable fact giventhat voters won’t go <strong>to</strong> thepolls for nearly five months. This is the earliest acampaign has reached this level of intensity inrecent memory, reinforcing our belief that the racewill be close and that the stakes are very high inthis election for all Americans.It is ironic that the Bush and Kerry campaignswill raise and spend millions for a job that pays thewinning candidate roughly one million dollars insalary over a four-year period. Considering bothcandidates are already multi-millionaires, there ismuch more involved than just the salary.Both candidates have spent tens of millions ofdollars, mostly on television advertisements, trying<strong>to</strong> persuade those of us without all the money how<strong>to</strong> vote. Outside organizations allied with either sideare spending millions more on ads.In the so-called “battleground states,” the onespolitical experts believe will be the closest, familieshave been bombarded by political commercials.That will only get heavier and broader in themonths ahead.In the end, the candidates—no matter howwealthy and well financed they are—still have <strong>to</strong>make their cases <strong>to</strong> the voters, most of whom areworking men and women. This is the strength ofour American democracy.Over the next five months, voters should take along, hard look at the announced and the hiddenagendas of both candidates who want <strong>to</strong> bePresident. Where does each one want <strong>to</strong> takeAmerica in the future and why? Which candidatemost strongly supports the interests of workingfamilies?The answers <strong>to</strong> these questions can be found inthe candidates’ positions on the critical issuesaffecting our members from their kitchen tables <strong>to</strong>the shop floor and in their union halls. Theirrespective positions are clear and starkly different.Every union member needs <strong>to</strong> analyze wherethe candidates stand on: protecting overtime pay,tax fairness, Social Security, outsourcing jobs overseas,trade policy, health care and prescription drugPresident’s MessageCRUCIAL CHOICEScoverage for all, controlling skyrocketing healthinsurance costs and protecting the fundamentalright of workers <strong>to</strong> form unions.Throughout the course of the campaign season,the <strong>BCTGM</strong> International will continue <strong>to</strong>provide our members with factual information onthe candidates and the issues so that they canevaluate which candidate is best for them, theirfamilies, our union and our nation.Detailed information will be available infuture editions of the <strong>BCTGM</strong> News as well as onour website, www.bctgm.org. I stronglyencourage all of our members <strong>to</strong> utilize this website.It is a tremendous source of information andpowerful <strong>to</strong>ol for getting involved in the politicalprocess.Nothing less than the future of our country isriding on the outcome of the November elections.Because <strong>BCTGM</strong> members and their familiescare deeply about America’s future, I am confidentwe will go <strong>to</strong> the polls in record numbersthis year.American democracy is strongest when voterturnout is highest. Working families do bestwhen our voice is the loudest on Election Day!Frank Hurt<strong>BCTGM</strong> International PresidentOfficial Publication of the Bakery, Confectionery, TobaccoWorkers and Grain Millers International Union10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensing<strong>to</strong>n, Maryland 20895-3961(301) 933-8600www.bctgm.orgFrank Hurt, Edi<strong>to</strong>rCorrina A. Christensen, Assistant Edi<strong>to</strong>r<strong>BCTGM</strong> GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDPresident Frank Hurt • Secretary-Treasurer David B. Durkee • Executive Vice PresidentsJoseph Thibodeau • Larry Barber • Vice Presidents Jeanne Graham • Shawn J. Grimm •Harry A. Guildner • Anthony L. Johnson • Richard Johnson • Sean Kelly •Michael T. Konesko • Arthur Montminy • Robert Oakley • Randy Roark •Ronald D. Schreiber • T.J. Warren<strong>BCTGM</strong> GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERSJoyce Als<strong>to</strong>n • Edward Burpo • Randy W. Fulk •Oscar B. Giles • Johnny Jackson • Micheline Labrecque • Paul LaBuda •Richard Lewis • Narcisco Martas • Herbert W. Marx • Danny Murphy •Brad Schmidt • William Sprandel • Doyle Townson<strong>BCTGM</strong> News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain MillersInternational Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensing<strong>to</strong>n, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid at Kensing<strong>to</strong>n, MD and at additionalmailing offices. Subscription <strong>to</strong> new members only. Postmaster: Send address changes <strong>to</strong> <strong>BCTGM</strong> News, 10401 ConnecticutAvenue, Kensing<strong>to</strong>n, MD 20895-3961.2<strong>BCTGM</strong> News
<strong>BCTGM</strong> Takes the Cake at the Union Industry Show“What does<strong>BCTGM</strong>stand for?”“I didn’t knowthat all theseproducts wereunion made!”TThe above statements were just someof what was heard around the<strong>BCTGM</strong>’s booth at the 2004 UnionIndustries Show at the St. LouisAmerica’s Center, St. Louis Mo.,April 23–26.Hundreds of <strong>BCTGM</strong>-made productsfrom nearly 50 union contractedcompanies helped bring life <strong>to</strong> theshow’s theme, “America at it’s Best.”With enough space <strong>to</strong> highlight productsmade by union members representinga diverse facet of the <strong>BCTGM</strong>,the expansive booth displayed everythingfrom bread, candy, cakes andcereals <strong>to</strong> flour and sugar.Visi<strong>to</strong>rs were openly wowed at thenumber of their favorite products producedby <strong>BCTGM</strong> members and weredelighted <strong>to</strong> participate in the raffles forbags of goods and professionally decoratedcakes.The Show features area unions andunionized employers, as well as nationalcompanies and international labororganizations, <strong>to</strong> underscore theirimportant contributions <strong>to</strong> the economicand social life of the American community.The 2004 show featured morethan 300 exhibits covering an areaequal <strong>to</strong> four football fields.As is the case each year, the<strong>BCTGM</strong> exhibit was the most visitedand enjoyed. An estimated 300,000 visi<strong>to</strong>rsattended the show with many ofthem s<strong>to</strong>pping by the <strong>BCTGM</strong>’s uniqueexposition where more than 1,200 grocerybags filled with the union’s productswere distributed.“This is myfavorite cereal!I’m so glad it ismade by yourunion!”May/June 2004 www.bctgm.org 3
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