to view/print. - Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain ...

thePresident’s MessageThe Crisis in the StatesThese are tough economic times,and I’m not convinced that thosein charge of spending the public’smoney realize the depth of theproblem. There have been nobreadlines nor runs on the bank, but nearly every workingfamily in the U.S. has been impacted by the monthafter month of depressing economic news.After more than a year of slash-and-burn budgeting,according to the New York Times, more than half of thenation’s states are still struggling to balance their budgetsfor the current fiscal year and the next. The conferencereport says that 27 states and the District of Columbiaare expected to have a cumulative deficit of $53.5 billion.Soaring health care costs, lagging tax revenues andinadequate payments from the federal government formandated programs have, according to the Times, eliminatedmost if not all of the advantages states thoughtthey were gaining by cutting programs.There is nothing wrong with trimming excess spendingby state governments, but the consequences of the states’budget crises are real and devastating for families and individualswho depend on the services, protections and benefitsstates provide, as well as for the workers who deliverthem. Because states must balance their budgets, they haveno choice but to increase taxes or cut spending to closebudget gaps. Sixteen states raised taxes in 2002, 24 havedone so in FY 2003 and 24 are proposing tax increases forFY 2004. Ironically, these state tax hikes have the potentialin the aggregate to offset reductions at the federal level.The states’ belt-tightening threatens to jeopardizebasic services that many people rely on. Devastating cutsin programs for the elderly and the disabled, the extremesqueeze in higher education funding and a generalassault on public services will have dire consequences forfamilies and will place added strains on the state andnational economies.The BCTGM is committed to restoring the nationaleconomy and reviving state economies. The two go handin-hand:The national economy cannot and will notrecover until the economic health of the states is restored,and state economies will continue to suffer until thenational economy resumes the robust growth it enjoyedduring the late 1990s.Additional costly budget cuts such as those the stateshave already made are not the answer to the states’ fiscalcrisis. Instead, the federal government must step up tothe plate with substantial resources to help the states. Inaddition to securing additional federal aid, the statesmust restructure their tax codes to require businesses andthe wealthy to pay their fair share.The BCTGM will lobby against and work to defeat thePresident’s misguided tax policies and FY 2004 budgetplans. These proposals will not create jobs or otherwisegrow the economy. Instead, they will further depletestates’ revenues. We will continue to push for federal legislationproviding substantial, direct and essential financialsupport to the states, including federal aid to helpstates offset some of their Medicaid costs and to meet theever-growing demands of boosting homeland security.The BCTGM will oppose further program cuts as themeans to close budget gaps. We will support state-basedrevenue-raising measures, such as eliminating corporatetax loopholes, decoupling of state tax rules from the correspondingfederal rules, and higher taxes for businesses andthose who are the wealthiest and best able to afford them.The President has asked for a lot from Americans inthese troubled and turbulent times, and workers areworking long and hard to turn the economy around. Butworking families cannot be the casualties of this economiccrisis. The BCTGM will continue to fight for the investmentsworkers need: investments in health care, education,transportation and homeland security that willcreate jobs and rebuild economic security.Frank HurtBCTGM International PresidentOfficial Publication of the Bakery, Confectionery, TobaccoWorkers and Grain Millers International Union10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895-3961(301) 933-8600www.bctgm.orgFrank Hurt, EditorCorrina A. Christensen, Assistant EditorBCTGM 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. WarrenBCTGM GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERSJoyce Alston • Edward Burpo • Randy W. Fulk • Lillian Gainer •Oscar B. Giles • Micheline Labrecque • Paul LaBuda • Richard Lewis •Narcisco Martas • Herbert W. Marx • Danny Murphy• Brad Schmidt • William Sprandel • Doyle TownsonBCTGM News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain MillersInternational Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid at Kensington, MD and at additionalmailing offices. Subscription to new members only. Postmaster: Send address changes to BCTGM News, 10401 ConnecticutAvenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961.The BCTGM Union Spirit in ActionWhen BCTGM Local 154G(London, Ontario) member JodyJones heard about the devastatingflood that overcame the smalltown of Badger, Newfoundland,she decided to reach out a helpinghand to the town’s 1,100 residents.On February 15, the threerivers that join near the town —Exploits, Red Indian and Badger,burst their banks forcing theentire population to flee to safety.The largest flood to sweepthrough the community in 25years destroyed most homeswhen parts of the town wereencased in ice. A state of emergencywas declared in Badger, asthe icy water began streaminginto streets—in some cases carryingaway vehicles. Badger’swater supply became contaminatedby sewage, and power andphone lines were wiped out.The Canadian Red Cross providedfor the immediate needs ofthe displaced Badger residents,many of whom escaped withonly the clothing on their backs.An appeal for $3 million waslaunched on February 19to support the relief andrecovery operations.After contacting theRed Cross, Jones learnedthey were in desperateneed of non-perishablefood. Jones — supportedby her co-workers at theKellogg’s plant — spentweeks gathering donationsof money, food,clothing, and other aid.Determined to make adifference, Jones decidedto deliver the goods inperson.“It seemed evident to me thatthere must be something I coulddo to help these people so Iarranged to take a truckload ofsupplies to the Island myself leavingMarch 18,” Jones says.“When I threw the idea outthere at the plant, they all thoughtI was nuts, and I thought, ‘Howhard can it be?’” recalls Jones.The humanitarian relief plangrew as she received donationsfrom her co-workers, friends,family and employer, KelloggCanada. Other major contributorsto the effort included the cityof London as well as theFirefighter & Police Associations,students and other local unions.According to Jones, “Supportfrom the Kellogg and Londoncommunities encouraged me tothe point where this project tookon a life of its own. Donations offuel, transportation and non-perishablefood were met. Therewas also a number of area childrenthat prepared cards and lettersthat were given to the floodvictims.”Upon arrival in Badger, Newfoundland, Local 154Gmember Jody Jones (left) presents letters and $7,000in donations from London, Ont. union members,community organizations, and local businesses.Kindness ReturnedHer idea was to return kindnessto people in the provincewho helped out during the 9/11disaster when internationalflights to the United States werediverted to Canada.“It’s a chance to let the peopleof Newfoundland know thatpeople care about them, too,”she said.Jones’ children—Frankie inGrade 4, Tia in Grade 7, and Zoeyin Grade 9—also became involved.Each of the children led their classesin writing letters of support andencouragement to the children ofBadger. They also helped load thevarious goods personally deliveredto the Jones’ home into the vanbound for Newfoundland.As planned, on March 18 the42-year-old Kellogg’s mechanicand mother of three filled a 16-cubic-foot van with cereal, soup,and other non-perishables. With$7,000 in checks and a letterfrom the Mayor of London inhand, Jones set out on the 5,600-km drive (plus ferry) to Badger.According to Jones,she arrived safely afterthe 25-hour drive andwas welcomed by thecommunity with “tears ofjoy and appreciation.They were so touched byour efforts to help.”Reflecting on the experienceJones said, “I’m justa hard working unionmember who wanted tohelp other regular peoplewho were suffering. It’sjust what I’m all about….itis what being a caringhuman being is all about.”2BCTGM NewsMay/June 2003 www.bctgm.org 3