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

BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO WORKERS AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNIONSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006VOLUME 8NUMBER 57 thNovemberVote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote!

Santorum Gets Special Delivery fromAmerica’s Seniors: BCTGM-Made DonutsMMarie Malagreca, a 79-year-oldretired union member, says theMedicare Part D prescriptiondrug “donut hole” is “a fiascoand we’re just outraged.” Underthe new Medicare Part D rulespassed by Congress in 2003, outof-pocketprescription expensesbetween the annual amounts of$2,251 and $5,100 are not covered.This nearly $3,000 gap hasbeen dubbed the “donut hole.”Malagreca is one of morethan 600 members of theAlliance for Retired Americanswho descended on Washington,D.C. in early September for theretiree activist group’s convention,including a rally and lobbyday on Capitol Hill.As part of the lobbyingactions, a groupof Alliance membersdeliveredBCTGM-Local 3(New York)made donuts toSen. RickSantorum (R-Pa.). Santorumhas been a vocal supporter of theflawed Medicare prescriptiondrug law that President GeorgeW. Bush signed. Santorum isalso one of Bush’s strongestallies in his effort to privatizeSocial Security.Top priorities of the three-millionmember Alliance include thefailures of the Medicare Part Dprescription drug program andthe efforts by the Administrationand Republican congressionalleaders to renew their drive toprivatize Social Security.More than seven million ofthe 11.8 million Americans withMedicare Part D drug coverageare expected to fall through thedonut hole in the coming years.And, according to the Alliancefor Retired Americans’ mostrecent congressional votingrecord, 170 House members and40 Senators had a “0” score onseniors’ issues—meaning theyvoted against the best interestsof the nation’s seniors everychance they could.Malagreca, from Blawnox,Pa., near Pittsburgh, says herunion retiree health benefits,together with her USW pensionand Social Security, mean shepersonally isn’t threatened by theMedicare donut hole. However,“A lot of my friends are just startingto fall into it or already have.There was a lot of confusion atthe start. People thought they’dpay their premiums and get theirbenefits. The donut hole couldAlliance for RetiredAmericans membersdeliver BCTGM-madedonuts to Capitol Hill on“Donut Hole” Day.be a fortune to some of them.Where are they going to get themoney?” reflects Malagreca.She adds that the drive toprivatize Social Security andthe donut hole combined,“threatens every part of what weexpected to have. If I couldn’thave my Social Security, I’d dropright out of the middle class, andI’m better off thanmost. We’ve got todo somethingabout it,” saysMalagreca.SeveralCongressionalRepublicans say ifthey maintain controlof Congressafter the fall elections,the BushAdministration’splan to privatizeSocial Security isat the top of theiragenda.“We’re mad atthe people whothink that our SocialSecurity money belongs tothem…that they can just turn itover to their friends on Wall Streetto play with, while we take all therisk and get our benefits cut,” notesAlliance for Retired AmericansPresident George Kourpias.Last year, BCTGM retireesand members mobilized to stopthe Bush plan. Thanks to hundredsof thousands of e-mails,phone calls and letters fromacross the labor movement, combinedwith rallies and marches,the plan to privatize SocialSecurity was derailed.September/October 2006 www.bctgm.org 3

BCTGM MEMBERSRAISE $45K FOR PUBLICSCHOOL LIBRARIESWhen BCTGM Local 167G(Grand Forks, N.D.) memberMark Froemke fully understoodthe massive funding crisis sweepingMinnesota and North Dakotapublic school libraries, he knewthe labor movement could dosomething to help.The public school librarieshave faced increasing cuts totheir budgets due to decreasedaid from the state and federalgovernments. Many areas havebeen forced to cut costs byreducing material budgets andcurriculum, with some schoollibrary programs being eliminatedaltogether. The grim situationcaps years of lean budgets withmost school book collectionsaged and inadequate.Froemke, who also serves asthe president of the NorthernValley Labor Council of theMinnesota AFL-CIO, came up withan idea to aid the schools nearlytwo years ago, pledging that childrenwouldn’t be victims of governmentbudget cuts. With the help ofLocal 167G Financial SecretaryScott Ripplinger and Local 167GUnit 264 Vice President MelMorris, a special BCTGM-fundraiserwas held to raise money for thearea’s school libraries.Morris and Ripplinger, officersof the former Local 264G(Local 264G is now part of thenewly-formed Local 167G, seepage 14), held a “Month ofMoney” raffle. The Local printed500 raffle tickets and sold themfor $20 each. According toRipplinger, sales of the ticketswere brisk due to the cause.Prizes were $125 daily for themonth of May, except for the 1stand 15th when the payout was$400, and Memorial Day whenthe prize was $600.At the end of the “bookdrive,” the Northern Valley LaborCouncil donated $40,000 tothree public school districtlibraries. BCTGM Local 264Gdonated an additional $4,920raised through their month-longraffle to increase the total donationto nearly $45,000.The generous donation wasdistributed between the GrandForks, N.D., the East GrandForks, Minn. and the Crookston,Minn. Public School LibrarySystems. According to Ripplinger,“The school administrators,teachers and library staff memberswere extremely grateful forthis first of its kind donation tothe school libraries.”Of the new books purchasedby the school libraries, manywere on workers’ struggle foreconomic and social justice andthe battles of labor unions in the1800s and 1900s.“This gift is not only a gestureof gratitude for all that publiceducation has done for unionmembers and their families,”said Froemke. “It also signifieslabor’s continuing support for theBCTGM Local 167G Unit 264 Vice Pres.Mel Morris (right) and Local 167G Fin.Secy. Scott Ripplinger (left) presentNorthern Valley Labor Council Pres.Mark Froemke, also a member of Local167G, a check for $4,920. Together,the group raised nearly $45,000 forpublic school libraries.teachers, administrators and staffwho have made our publicschools a wonderful successtoday. For working people, publiceducation is one of the mostimportant accomplishments ofthe labor movement. It’ll be hardto find more labor books in publicschools for K-12 than whatwe’ve purchased,” he added.Virginia Tupa, director ofinstructional services for theGrand Forks Public SchoolSystem noted, “It is the largestsingle contribution the GrandForks libraries have everreceived. We’re very excited andthrilled about this.”Tupa credits Grand ForksPublic Schools AdministrativeAssistant Shirley Johnson withmaking the most of every dollardonated. Johnson ordered all thebooks and videos for the threedistricts and bargained with variouspublishers and distributorsto get the best deals. Johnsonestimates that she will be able topurchase more than 9,000 booksand videos with the $45,000.Each book will have a specialsticker indicating it was donatedby the labor movement.6BCTGM News

BCTGM Secures Important Victory at Fiesta MartAAfter months of intimidationand anti-union tactics by FiestaMart management, Houstonbakery workers cheered the victoriousresults of the NLRBorderedunion representationelection on June 30.Shortly after midnight,BCTGM InternationalRepresentative and OrganizerCesar Calderon proudlyannounced that the Fiesta MartInc. bakery commissary workersvoted to join BCTGM Local163 (Houston).A lack of respect and harshtreatment on the job were thereasons they reached out to theBCTGM, said Calderon. Theworkers—primarily immigrantsfrom El Salvador, Guatemalaand Mexico—complained ofverbal abuse, Calderon noted.Supervisors called them “stupid”and “good for nothing,” hesaid. Low wages were also anissue, “But respect to theseworkers for their hard work isvery important,” said Calderon.During the campaign, theBCTGM filed numerous UnfairLabor Practice Charges with theNational Labor Relations Boardagainst Fiesta Mart for illegalsurveillance of employees witha camera, implementation of agag rule and no solicitationrules for union materials andconversations, interrogations ofworkers by supervisors and athreat to fire employees forsigning union cards or votingfor the union. Another chargeinvolved the employer threateningto shut down the plant ifthe union won the election.A rally to support the workersefforts to organize was heldon June 24 and Deacon SamDunning of the Galveston-Houston Diocese conducted aprayer vigil the day before theelection. According toCalderon, the outpouring ofcommunity support was vitalto this organizing drive. “Therewas a tremendous amount ofsupport. This really marked aturning point in the campaignas the encouragement theworkers received from religious,community and governmentleaders gave them thecourage to follow through andvote for union representation,”said Calderon.In addition to DeaconDunning, the bakers receivedsupport from ArchbishopDaniel DiNardo of Our Ladyof Guadalupe, U.S. Rep. GeneGreen (D-29th TX), StateSenators John Whitmire andMario Gallegos Jr., StateRepresentatives Dr. Alma A.Allen, Kevin Bailey, SenfroniaThompson, Hubert Vo andJessica Farrar, the HoustonCity Council, as well as theCentral Labor Council, theTexas AFL-CIO, and variousother unions.The Union is currently bargainingwith Fiesta Mart overthe workers’ first contract.Negotiations in Houston arebeing lead by BCTGMInternational RepresentativeDale Nichols, assisted byCalderon, Local 163 officerDonald Pierce and the FiestaMart Commissary Bakery workersrepresented by Arturo Nunoand Luis Herrera.A key person on the unionorganizing committee, Nunonotes, “The workers and notmanagement have made FiestaMart a strong and profitable company.After twenty one years ofservice, I feel that I deserve to betreated with dignity and respect—which was the reason why wevoted for the BCTGM,” saidNunoMario Luna, also a memberof the organizing committee concluded,“I feel proud to havecontributed to this cause whichis not only mine, but of everyworker at Fiesta Mart”September/October 2006 www.bctgm.org 7

Local 264 Members ProduceSweFOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, members of BCTGM Local264 have been making jaw breakers, bubble Gum, chewinggum, and candies in many different flavors, varieties and themesat the Oak Leaf Confections plant in Toronto. The manufacturingand distribution center has 20 lines and produces 42 millionpounds of candy per year.Some of the specialty candy made by Local 264 members isamong kid’s best loved treats. Union-made Oak Leaf candy includessuch items as Funny Bones Candy, Hockey Pucks Candy, RedHots Jawbreakers, Banana Heads, Smiley Face Bubble Gumballs, Baseball Gum balls and much more. Oak Leaf Candy is soldby the package, but also in bulk for use in vending machines.Pictured here are the proud members of BCTGM Local 264 hardat work at the Oak Leaf manufacturing plant in Toronto.8BCTGM News

et Delightsat Oak Leaf ConfectionsSeptember/October 2006 www.bctgm.org 9

BCTGM Rallies in Support of JailedZimbabwean UnionistsTThe BCTGM was among tradeunion activists who gathered outsidethe Embassy of Zimbabwein Washington D.C. onSeptember 22 in support of jailedZimbabwean union leaders.Zimbabwe Congress of TradeUnions (ZCTU) General SecretaryWellington Chibebe, recipient ofthe 2003 George Meany-LaneKirkland Human Rights Awardwas among the 256 Zimbabweanunionists and activists who werebeaten and arrested at a peacefulSeptember 13 rally calling for aresponse to the country’s deepeningeconomic crisis.According to the AFL-CIO,Chibebe and ZCTU PresidentMatombo were beaten so severely,they could not stand. Theactivists remain in custody,where they have been refusedmedical attention, access tolawyers and representatives ofthe International LaborOrganization (ILO).“The AFL-CIO is incensed bythe violence unleashed on theBCTGM Intl. Exec. Vice Pres. Joseph Thibodeau (left) was amongthe trade unionists who rallied outside the Embassy of Zimbabweon September 22 in Washington D.C. to demand an investigationinto the beating and arrest of the ZCTU union leaders.workers of Zimbabwe,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Weare deeply concerned for the safetyand health of those in custodyand strongly condemn the brutalrepression of union activity.”At the demonstration outsidethe Embassy, protesters demandedan investigation into the beatingsand arrests and denouncedthe denied entry of a delegationof U.S. trade union leaders intoZimbabwe to meet with injuredleaders of the ZCTU, followingthe brutal attack on them andtheir arrest on September 13.Creative Political ActionWhen asked how they would urge their fellowunion members to vote in the November7 elections, BCTGM Local 25 (Chattanooga,Tenn.) members who work at White LilyFoods Co. in Knoxville, Tenn. took a creativeapproach. The workers pictured on the coverand in the photo here, took time during theirbreaks to pose for a photo to encourage theirunion brothers and sisters throughout the U.S.to get out and vote in November.Pictured above are Local 25 members (from left to right) Robert Ivey, Jason Roach, Charles Galloway and Ernie Boling.On the cover are Local 25 members (from left to right) Robert Ivey, Aline Harris, Jason Roach, Anthony Dockins,Thurman Kinnebrew, and Hubert Gusby. Kudos to these hard-working Local 25 members for this creative idea!September/October 2006 www.bctgm.org 11

BCTGM-PACSupporting Workers’Friends in CongressWhile few worker-friendly laws have been enacted during the 109th Congress, BCTGM members throughoutthe U.S. have generously supported policy makers who continue to fight for working families. Pictured hereare BCTGM representatives presenting pro-union Members of Congress with BCTGM-PAC donations. U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) has served the peopleof Southern California’s 51stDistrict in Congress since1992, compiling an impressiverecord of supportinglabor. Pictured here presentinga BCTGM-PAC donationto Filner (right) to aid in hisre-election campaign, isLocal 315 Fin. Secy. DeborahLacey-Zuelsdorf (left).Patricia Madrid is aDemocrat running forthe U.S. House ofRepresentatives torepresent NewMexico’s 1st District.If elected, Madridhas said she will signon as a co-sponsorof the Employee FreeChoice Act. Picturedhere is Madrid (center) during a recent visit to the Local 351 (Albuquerque,N.M.) union office with Sylvia Molinar (left) and Pres. Earl L. Reed (right). CongressmanGeorgeMiller is aleadingspokesman inCongress onlabor, education,theeconomy, andthe environment.He hasrepresentedthe 7th Districtof California inSan Francisco’s East Bay since 1975.Miller is an original co-sponsor ofthe Employee Free Choice Act thatwould strengthen protections forworkers’ freedom to choose unionrepresentation. Pictured here presentingMiller (left) with a BCTGM-PAC donation is Local 125(Oakland, Calif.) Pres. Ken Young(right). BCTGM members from Michigan had the opportunity to meet with SenatorDebbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) during a “Power Breakfast” held in Detroit onSept. 25. The Senator met one-on-one with the group to discuss issues ofimportance to the BCTGM. Pictured here, from left to right, are L. 326 (Detroit)member Evege James, L. 3G (Battle Creek) Rec. Secy. Mike Riffey, Stabenow, L.66G (Battle Creek) Vice Pres. Dennis Martinovich, (back row) L. 3G Pres. RockyMarsh, Local 326 Pres. Nickee Crane, and Intl. Vice Pres. Mike Konesko. Darcy Burner is a Democrat runningfor the 8th CongressionalDistrict of Washington State.Pictured here with Burner (left) isLocal 9 (Seattle) Bus. Rep. MaryTrujillo (right), who presentedBurner with a BCTGM-PAC donationto aid in her campaign.12BCTGM News

Historic Pattern AgreementReached With Sara LeeIn mid-September, a new contract was reachedbetween Local 65 (Oklahoma City, Okla) and theSara Lee Bakery Group which is to act as the patternfor all Sara Lee contracts in the 3rd and 4th Regions.The BCTGM represents nearly 4,000 Sara Leemembers in those regions.The new three-year agreement features a total wageincrease of $1.30 over the life of the agreement asIntl. Vice Pres. Jeanne Graham (standing, left), Intl.Vice Pres. Bob Oakley (standing, right), and Intl.Reps. Steve Bertelli (sitting, left) and Dale Nichols(sitting, right) meet for discussion during caucus.The Local 65(Oklahoma City)negotiatingcommittee.well as a healthy pension enhancement. Inaddition, local unions will have the right topurchase additional pension and/or P-Plan benefitsfrom wages. Sickness and accident benefits wereraised, as was the W-1 benefit plan.The contract also contains an agreement that thecompany will provide and maintain all currenthealthcare plans, benefits and levels. According tolead negotiator BCTGM Vice President Bob Oakley,securing the maintenance of benefits was extremelyimportant. “Our members want the peace of mindthat comes with knowing you have set medical andprescription drug benefits,” said Oakley afterratification of the deal.International President Frank Hurt said he waspleased with the new agreement and commended thenegotiating committee on a job well-done. “They werewell-prepared and all on the same page. They knewwhat our members really wanted and knew that thecompany could afford it,” stated Hurt.Local Wins Grievance Against Sara LeeOn June 23, BCTGM Local 149 (Memphis, Tenn.) received the news it had been anticipating for over a year: that Arbitrator Elliot Shriftman had ruledthat Sara Lee’s implementation of a new prescription drug plan had violated the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the company.The problem began after a new collective agreement had been negotiated in March 2004. During those negotiations the company and the union agreed tochange medical plans, and also agreed to a new set of rates for prescription co-pays. However, the company agreed to maintain all health benefits.Not long after the new agreement was in place, it came to light that the Company had stopped the practice of charging generic co-pay for brand namedrugs without generic equivalents. Under the old plan, members could pay the generic co-pay price ($5.00) for a brand name drug, if no generic drugwas made available. Under the new plan, members were forced to pay the full brand-name co-pay adding a much greater expense onto the members.In his ruling, the Arbitrator found that the company had agreed to “provide and maintain all current plans, schedule of benefits and pay the entire cost ofmaintaining those benefits.” He continued that “all the Union had to do and all it needed to do was to win language which protected, that is maintained, allof the prior levels of benefits.” The Company argued that all prescription drugs had an identical co-pay and that there had never been any exceptions.However, the Arbitrator stated that “the words ‘generic co-pay for brand when generic not available’ existed in the old plan and, by dint of that coupled withthe express promise by the Company to maintain all levels of benefits, had to continue unchanged.”Thus, the Arbitrator ruled that the company had to reimburse all those members who were forced to pay the brand name co-pay when nogeneric was made available, and to cease and desist from that practice.In the matter of the Arbitration between Local 149 BCTGM and Sara Lee Bakery Group (FMCS No. 05-52064) Arbitrator: Elliot D. ShriftmanSeptember/October 2006 www.bctgm.org 13

The Maysey family celebrates 152 years of BCTGM membership this year,according to Retired BCTGM Local 4 (St. Louis) Pres. Bill Maysey. Maysey,who has been a union member for 40 years, says he is very proud of hisfamily’s union legacy. Pictured here with Bill Maysey (sitting), from left toright, is Jack Maysey (36 years, former L. 4 Pres.), Sheryl McLeroy-Maysey(31 years), Betty Maysey (15 years) and James Maysey (30 years).152 YEARS PROUDBCTGM Local 342 (Bloomington, Ill.) once againbrought joy to their community by passing out unionmadecandy during Bloomington’s annual Labor DayParade on September 4. Pictured here are membersof Local 342 sharing candy with the crowd.LOCAL UNION MERGERSSince we last published a list of BCTGMlocal union mergers in the Jan./Feb.2006 issue of the BCTGM News, thefollowing locals have merged:Local 482 (Jacksonville, FL) into Local103 (Orlando, Fla.), with an effectivedate of July 1, 2006.Local 405G (Wahpeton, Minn.), Local 326G(Drayton, N.D.), Local 266G (Moorhead,Minn.), Local 135G (Grand Forks, N.D.),Local 118G (Duluth, Minn.), Local 264G(East Grand Forks, Minn.) merged into anewly-formed Local 167G (Grand Forks,N.D.) effective August 1, 2006.Local 327G (Bramalea, Ont.) into Local264 (Toronto, Ont.) with an effectivedate of August 10, 2006.LABOR DAYHAPPY RETIREMENTLongtime BCTGM Local 232 (Phoenix) Pres. Estle DwainSoards recently retired after more than 36 years of workingfor Holsum Bakery in Phoenix. A retirement celebrationwas held in his honor at the bakery. During his years atHolsum, Soards worked in the donut shop, hard rolldept., bun production and wrapping before retiring fromthe food safety dept. According to Local 232 Bus. Agt.Gregory Bell, his hard work and dedication have helpedHolsum and the Union grow and improve. Holsum Bakery,Inc., was established in Phoenix in 1881, and is Arizona’soldest family owned business and the largest wholesalebakery in the Southwestern U.S. Pictured here congratulatingSoards is Ed Eisele, the current owner and President ofHolsum. Eisele is the grandson of the company founder.At right, is Soards (right) proudly displays an honoraryplaque that commemorates his long career. He is picturedwith his wife Nancy, who joined the celebration.Pictured here is the Executive Board of the newly-formed BCTGM Local 167G (GrandForks, N.D.). In the back row from left to right are Unit 264 Vice Pres. Mel Morris, Unit135 Head Steward Kevin Jerik, Pres. John Riskey, Unit 266 Vice Pres. Jim Knapper, Unit326 Vice Pres. Don Staskivige, Unit 326 Head Steward Mike Bratlie, and Sec.-Treas.Scott Ripplinger. In the front row, from left to right, are Unit 266 Head Steward TomSpieker, Unit 135 Vice Pres. Chad Boushee, Unit 405 Vice Pres. Richard Novotny, Unit118 Head Steward Tom Nichols, Unit 405 Head Steward Ed Papa, Unit 264 HeadSteward Chuck Hughes and Unit 118 Vice Pres. Dennis Tollers.14BCTGM News

BCTGM Power ProgramsHelp WhenYou Need It!After Hurricanes Katrina and Ritadevastated the Gulf Coast lastfall, the BCTGM Power CreditCard helped 800 union members byproviding $400,000 in assistancefrom the Credit Card Disaster Relieffund. BCTGM members who were impacted bythe storms and applied for assistance through thefund were quickly sent $500 checks.Former BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago) memberGeorge Wheeler had moved to Laurel,Mississippi, five years after retiring as a mixer inChicago. In the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, theunion retiree’s roof was torn off. Wheeler—aBCTGM Power credit card holder—needed help,and he needed it fast.Fortunately for him, the Credit Card DisasterRelief Fund was offering direct and quick assistanceto every cardholder in devastated areas.Wheeler received a $500 check from the creditcard program, which he promptly used toward therepair of his roof.Whether a crisis comes as a result of a naturaldisaster or a workplace action, BCTGM Power isthere to help.The BCTGM Power Credit Card comes with featuresno other card can equal. Here’s a sampling:■ No annual fee■ Exclusive member rates and benefits■ Money-saving balance transfer offers■ Scholarship program■ Free additional cards■ Money-saving discounts■ 100% protection against fraud■ Special safety net for disabled workers andothers facing financial hardship■ Strike-payment protection■ Skip-payment options■ Grace period on new purchases■ Extended warranty■ 24-hour personal customer service by phoneor online■ Online account managementFor more information on the BCTGM Power Credit Card,visit: www.bctgm.org/benefits/creditcard/cardbenefits.htm or, www.UnionPlus.org

Plasma TV SweepstakesName:Address:Phone:Email:Union:Local #:Mail this form by January 1, 2007 to:TRCP, Escape to the Wild Plasma TV Sweepstakes555 11th St. NWWashington, DC 20004Printed in U.S.A.