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Ba k e r y, Con f e c t ion er y, To b a c c o Wor k er s a n d Gr a i n Mi l l e r s In t e r n a t i o n a l Un i o nMay/Ju n e 2008Vo l u m e 10Nu m b e r 3

Tthe PRESIDENT’s MESSAGESHAPING LABOR’S FUTURE“It’s time to return to a world where workers obtain their fair share of the nation’s economicgrowth. The best way to do so is to give them a stronger voice in the workplace. Unions mean thedifference between an economy that is fair and an economy where working people are left behind.”Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), March 2007Throughout America, the winds of political change blowstronger each and every day. Record voter turnout inDemocratic primaries and caucuses across the country,unprecedented numbers of first-time voters and a waveof energized young people eager to participate in thepolitical process are clear signs that the American peoplehave had enough.We are ready to elect new political leadership thisNovember; leadership that will chart a bold new coursefor our country after eight years of greed, corruption andeconomic and foreign policy failure.With this new political leadership comes theopportunity for the enactment of a powerful piece oflegislation that would usher in an era of robust growth inthe ranks of organized labor not seen in this country for70 years.The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) willdramatically shift the balance of power in organizingcampaigns from employers to workers. (See pages 8-9 fora full discussion of the legislation.)Enactment of EFCA means that the tens of millionsof American workers who want to join a union can do sowithout fear of being intimidated, threatened, or illegallyfired.Enactment of EFCA means that the BCTGM will beable to expand our membership significantly, giving usgreater union density across our industries, and with itthe power to negotiate even stronger contracts and furtheradvance the rights and interests of our members.Enactment of EFCA means a larger, stronger labormovement that will exert greater influence in Washingtonover the most important legislative matters of our timessuch as trade, energy, health care and pension policies.In short, the Employee Free Choice Act willfundamentally alter the American workplace andeconomy for the better and take its place alongside themonumental labor, civil and human rights legislation inour nation’s history. It will take American labor law outof the dark ages and provide American workers with thesame rights and protections as workers in virtually everyindustrialized country in the world.But enactment of EFCA will not be easy. Employerand anti-union organizations, such as the Chamberof Commerce, American Bakers Association and theNational Right to Work (for Less) Committee will doeverything possible to stop the Employee Free Choice Actfrom becoming law.They know what this legislation means forempowering workers and are prepared to spend hundredsof millions of dollars on Washington lobbyists andtelevision, radio and newspaper advertisements toinfluence Congress. In fact, they have already startedrunning misleading and deceitful television ads in anumber of states in preparation for the battle next year.For this reason, the BCTGM has joined with the AFL-CIO in a Million-Member Mobilization for the EmployeeFree Choice Act. Unions participating in this historicgrassroots mobilization have committed to seeing thatat least 10 percent of their members complete and returnpostcards such as the one inserted into this issue of theBCTGM News. The cards will be presented to the newCongress and new President in January of 2009.This Mobilization will be labor’s answer to theemployers’ campaign of lies and deception against thelegislation. It will be a show of worker solidarity thatevery member of Congress must heed.The Million Member Mobilization provides everyBCTGM member with the opportunity to be a part ofshaping the very future of the labor movement. I urge youto join this history-making labor action. Please fill out theEFCA postcard and return it to the BCTGM Headquartersso that your voice for change can be heard, loud and clear.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. DurkeeExecutive Vice President Joseph Thibodeau • Vice PresidentsSteve Bertelli • Anthony L. Johnson • Sean KellyMicheal T. Konesko • Arthur MontminyRobert Oakley • Randy RoarkBCTGM General Executive Board MembersJoyce Alston • Edward Burpo • Johnny JacksonPaul LaBuda • Richard Lewis • Narcisco MartasDanny Murphy • Vester Newsome • William F. PearceTony Pegram • Ron Piercey • Donna ScaranoBrad Schmidt • Doyle TownsonBCTGM News (ISSN 1525-4860) is published bi-monthly by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and GrainMillers International Union, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961. Periodicals postage paid atKensington, MD and at additional mailing offices. Subscription to new members only. Postmaster: Send addresschanges to BCTGM News, 10401 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3961.2 BCTGM News

BCTGM Activists Join inMember Mobilization WalksBCTGM members were amonghundreds of union membersto participate in the biggest unionmobilization yet in the 2008political seasonwith the firstround of doorto-doorwalks,part of theAFL-CIO Labor2008 politicalmobilizationprogram.Unionvolunteers inmore than 20states sharedinformation onkey workingfamily issues,like healthcare and theeconomy,reachingthousandsof unionmembers in states such asKentucky, Florida, Indiana,New Hampshire, Colorado,Minnesota, Pennsylvaniaand Ohio. The walkswill continue in comingmonths as millions of unionmembers mobilize to electa working family-friendlypresident and Congress.In these early unionmember-to-member walks,union volunteers are focusing onhealth care, especially the healthcare plan proposed by ArizonaSen. John McCain, the presumptiveRepublican nominee. His planwould undermine existing healthcare coverage, creating a new taxon health care and pushing peopleIn Louisville, Ky. BCTGM Local 201Tmembers joined members of the IBEW fora day of door-to-door visits with unionmembers. Pictured here is (from left toright) Mike Vaughn, Joe Gillenwater, DougTaylor and Intl. Rep. Bill Daunhauer.into the private market to deal withinsurance companies on their own.It wouldn’t cut costs or cover morepeople.BCTGM Local 103 (Orlando, Fla.) memberGill Bush (left) and Intl. Rep. BarbaraFields (right) prepare for the Labor 2008Labor Walk in Jacksonville, Fla.Gill Bush, a BCTGM Local 103(Orlando, Fla.) member and chiefshop steward, was one of hundredsof volunteers who hit the streetsand knocked on doors on May 17in Jacksonville, Fla.“I’m here today to get out thevote, and to get other workers tosupport a candidate who supportsour issues, including affordablehealth care,” said Bush.The AFL-CIO Labor 2008political programis set to becomethe largestunion politicalmobilizationin history, andunion member-tomembercontact,like the May laborwalks, is the mosteffective way tomobilize andeducate workingfamilies.Through doorto-doorwalks,worksite visits,phone banksand mail,thousands ofunion volunteerswill reach outto millions ofunion members.“Theunion vote willbe crucial inelecting the next president, and it’sessential to educate union membersand their families about the issuesthat affect them and where thecandidates stand,” notes BCTGMInternational President Frank Hurt.“With an economic crisishitting working families aroundthe country, issues like trade,housing, jobs and health care willmove voters—and candidates—torespond to these concerns,” Hurtconcludes.BCTGM Local 57 TrusteeGlenn Shaw (left) andLocal 57 Trustees ChairmanMike Sillins get ready forthe Columbus, OhioLabor Walk.May/June 2008 www.bctgm.org 3

Local Leaders Train to SucceedLocal Union leaders from acrossNorth America gathered atthe George Meany Center forLabor Studies, in Silver Spring,Md. for an intensive one weekeducational conference. Theconference, administered by theBCTGM Research & EducationDepartment, focused ondevelopingthe leadershipskills of newlyelected localunion officers.Accordingto BCTGMInternationalPresidentFrank Hurt,the purposeof the trainingis to ensurethat BCTGMlocal leadersrepresent theirmembers tothe best oftheir abilities.“We givethem the toolsto negotiategreat contracts,organize newmembers andadminister theirlocal union; oncethey get back totheir Locals it isup to them to putit into action,”notes Hurt.(Above) Listening to one of theguest speakers is (from left)L. 531 (London, Ky.) Fin. Secy.Connie Bell, L. 117G (Shawnee,Okla.) Fin. Secy. Travis Madron,L. 62G (Mankato, Minn.) Fin.Secy. Stacey Medin and L.252 (Calgary, Alb.) Pres. KevinWiegers.The daily seminars, madeup of workshops, presentations,and guest speakers, focusedon local union management,organizing, workplace health &safety, arbitrations, and preparingfor negotiations. There was alsoa special session on the financialrecord-keeping responsibilities forthe financial secretaries.From the first day of theconference, the local union officerswere encouraged to share theirown situations with the groupand learn from the experiencesDiscussing organizing strategy is (fromleft) L. 374G (Lancaster, Pa.) Fin. Secy.Tim Gruber, L. 178G (Fremont, Neb.)Pres. Bob Herring Jr., L. 406 (Moncton,N.B.) Fin. Secy. Darryl Oblenes, L. 50(Edison, N.J.) Fin. Secy. Calvin Williamsand L. 252 (Calgary, Alb.) Pres. KevinWiegers.of others. This was especiallyimportant when it came todiscussing organizing strategies forboth past and future campaigns.The participants agreed thatthis information-sharing was aninvaluable part of the overallexperience.On the last evening of theconference, themembers presentedHurt with a generousdonation to theBCTGM-PAC fund.(Above) The local unionofficers prepare for thedaily workshop on contractnegotiations. Pictured (fromleft) is L. 388G (Midland,Ont.) Fin. Secy. BelindaMarion, L. 114 (Portland,Ore.) Bus. Agt. GeorgeneBarragan, L. 50G (Omaha,Neb.) Fin. Secy. Tim Zagurskiand L. 387G (Lancaster, Pa.)Fin. Secy. Betty Trout.4 BCTGM News

How Does the BctgmSupport Working Families?Steve SilveyFinancial SecretaryLocal 342 (Bloomington, Ill.)The BCTGM supports workingfamilies through organization,representation, educationand political action. Since ourinception, we have increased our standardof living. Everyday, something is going toarise that is going to affect somebody’slife somewhere. The BCTGM continuesto fight for all working families from theInternational level, all the way down to theLocal level.Betty TroutFinancial SecretaryLocal 387G (Lancaster, Pa.)By keeping jobs here and notoverseas; seeing that all peopleare given fair wages for the jobsthey do. To make sure pensions, insurance,etc. are kept on level with others. To havefair representation in disputes.Bob HerringPresidentLocal 178G (Fremont, Neb.)I feel it allows us to feel secureby knowing the BCTGM willalways continue to monitorlaws and union rights whichallows us to enjoy our familiesat or away from work.Oscar HernandezBusiness AgentLocal 24 (RedwoodCity, Calif.)It gives familiesworking in theindustry a chance at a better standard ofliving by offering higher wages, affordablehealth care and a retirement pension plan.Kevin WiegersPresidentLocal 252 (Calgary, Alb.)Being an institution and force in oursociety devoted to enhancing andpreserving a person’s dignity and lifethrough benefits, wages, and pensions.Georgene BarraganBusiness AgentLocal 114 (Portland,Ore.)Better wages andaffordable healthcarefor even the smallestemergency.May/June 2008 www.bctgm.org 5

Tootsie Roll Workers Ratify New ContractBCTGM Local 1 (Chicago)successfully negotiated anew five year contract withTootsie Roll Industries thatwill run through 2012. Thedeal affects more than 500BCTGM members at theChicago facility.The new contract featuresa wage increase of $2.05 overthe course of the deal, alongwith increases in the weeklyaccident and sickness benefitand the life insurance benefit.Of particular importanceto the membership wasthe substantial rise in thecompany’s pension contribution.According to former Local 1President Jethro Head, the localbargaining committee conducted athorough outreach and educationaleffort to negotiate a contractthat reflected the concerns ofTootsie Roll Negotiating Committee: (l-r) Sam Garcia Area Steward/Negotiating Committee, JoeProbst Area Steward/Negotiating Committee, Angel Ochoa Chief Trustee/Executive Board/ChiefSteward/Negotiating Committee, Larry Willis Area Steward/Negotiating Committee and Jethro Head.the membership. “Our memberssaw the value in making pensionimprovements as the number oneissue; the whole negotiations camedown to this,” said Head.The negotiating committee,led by Region Three Vice PresidentSteve Bertelli, included Head, thenLocal 1 President; Sam Garcia,Area Steward; Joe Probst, AreaSteward; Angel Ochoa, ChiefTrustee/Executive Board/ChiefSteward; and Larry Willis, AreaSteward.Local 1 has represented theworkers at Tootsie Roll since 1969.Hurt Appoints Region 3 International RepresentativeJethro Head deliversa report at the 2006BCTGM ConstitutionalConvention.BCTGM International President Frank Hurt ispleased to announce the appointment of JethroHead as a Region 3 International Representative.Head, the former President of BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago),has been a member of the union for 34 years.Head, 54, is a native of East St. Louis, Ill. Hebegan his career with the union at Curtiss CandyCompany in February 1974. He worked in the plantuntil he was elected President of Local 552 in July1984. He served as the local’s president until June1, 1999 when he became Vice President of Local1 upon a merger of Local 552 into Local 1. Headbecame President of Local 1 on January 1, 2000, aposition he served proudly until his recent appointmentto International Representative. Additionally, Head has served as VicePresident of the Illinois State AFL-CIO since January 2000.He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1974 to 1980 andgraduated from Roosevelt University.“We are very proud to welcome Jethro to our International Staff,” saysHurt. “His history of hard work and dedication to workers and this union willundoubtedly benefit the union members of Region Three. He is a skillednegotiator, knowledgeable organizer and his dedication to the trade unionmovement is reflected in all that he accomplishes.”Death ofAFGM President WillisRobert W. Willis, retiredInternational President of the AmericanFederation of Grain Millers (AFGM),passed away February 12. He was 73.Willis began his career at theKellogg Company in 1954 working inthe packing rooms. In the early 1960s,he became a union steward and soonafter was placed on the executive boardof Local 3 Grain Millers Union. Hebecame an international representativefor the AFGM and later became a vicepresident. He served as the executivevice president and eventually waselected to General President of theInternational Union.In 1980, Willis was among Kelloggpersonnel to testify before a Senatepanel in the anti-trust suit broughtagainst the cereal manufacturer and asa result, the suit was dropped.6 BCTGM News

eedom to Form UnionsWhy is majority sign-up a better wayto protect employees’ free choice?Majority sign-up minimizes workplace conflict.This process avoids coercion and harassment ofemployees and eliminates some of the delays that frustrateworkers’ efforts to form unions. Majority sign-up has beenshown to reduce conflict, coercion and harassment aswell as the delays, business disruptions and legal costsassociated with the NLRB “election” process.Majority sign-up is democratic. Under majoritysign-up, a union is formed only if a majority of allemployees signs written authorization forms. Employeesvote to have the union represent them by signing theforms. Any employee who does not sign a writtenauthorization form is presumed not to support unionrepresentation.Are workers more likely tobe coerced to sign cardsunder majority sign-up, asopponents say?No. In fact, academic studies show that workerswho organize under majority sign-up feel less pressurefrom co-workers to support the union than workerswho organize under the NLRB election process.Workers who vote by majority sign-up also reportfar less pressure or coercion from management tooppose the union than workers who go through NLRBelections. In addition, it is illegal for anyone to coerceemployees to sign a union authorization card. Anyperson who breaks the law will be subject to penaltiesunder the Employee Free Choice Act.Once a majority of workers indicates they want aunion by signing cards, the company should not be ableto drag the process out for months as they can under amanagement-controlled election process. The will of themajority should be recognized.Who supports the EmployeeFree Choice Act?The Employee Free Choice Act has the supportof hundreds of members of Congress of both parties,academics and historians, civil and human rightsorganizations such as the NAACP and HumanRightsWatch, most major faith denominations and 69percent of the American public. (For a detailed list ofsupporters, visit www.EmployeeFreeChoiceAct.org.)Who Opposes theEmployee Free Choice Act?Corporate front groups are waging a major campaign tostop the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800). They do notwant workers to have the freedom to choose for themselveswhether to bargain through unions for better wages, benefitsand working conditions. The anti-union network includesdiscredited groups such as the Center for Union Facts, ledby lobbyist Richard Berman, who is infamous for fightingagainst drunk driving laws and consumer and healthprotections, and the National Right to Work Committee andFoundation, the country’s oldest organization dedicatedexclusively to destroying unions.Why Workers Need the Freedom toForm Unions and BargainJoining together in a union to bargain for better wages,benefits and working conditions is the best opportunityworking people have to get ahead.Today, good jobs are vanishing and health carecoverage and retirement security are slipping out of reach.Only 38 percent of the public says their families are gettingahead financially and less than a quarter believes the nextgeneration will be better off.But workers who belong to unions earn 30 percentmore than nonunion workers. They are 62 percent morelikely to have employer-provided health coverage and fourtimes more likely to have pensions.All workers should have the freedom to decide forthemselves whether to form unions to bargain for abetter life.May/June 2008 9

BCTGM-PAC:Supporting Workers’Friends in CongressWhile few worker-friendly laws have beenenacted during the Bush Administration,BCTGM members throughout the U.S.have generously supported policy makerswho continue to fight for working families.Pictured here are BCTGM representativespresenting pro-union Members of Congresswith BCTGM-PAC donations.Local 1 (Chicago)President DonaldWoods (left) presentsJill Morganthaler with aBCTGM-PAC donation.Morganthaler is theDemocratic Party’snominee for the U.S.House of Representativesfor Illinois’ 6thCongressional District inthe upcoming GeneralElection.First elected to Congress in 1998, Rep. Brian Baird representsthe 3rd Congressional District of Washington State. CongressmanBaird has a long history of supporting labor and the issuesimportant to the BCTGM. Pictured here presenting Baird (center)with a BCTGM-PAC donation to aid in his re-election campaignis Local 364 (Portland, Ore.) Secretary-Treasurer Victor Weekes(left) and Local 364 Trustee Chairman John Murphy.In the North Carolina Senate Race, the BCTGMhas endorsed Democratic nominee KayHagan, a state senator from Greensboro, N.C.who is challenging Republican Sen. ElizabethDole. Pictured here presenting Hagan with aBCTGM-PAC donation is (from left) Local 229T(Concord, N.C.) Financial Secretary-TreasurerCynthia Hallman, Local 229T President RobertHines, Hagan, and Local 317 (Greensboro,N.C.) President Tony Pegram.U.S. Representative John Yarmuthrepresents Kentucky’s 3rdCongressional District in the U.S.House of Representatives. As amember of the Education andLabor Committee, Rep. Yarmuthis committed to providing asafe and profitable workingenvironment for America’sworkers. Pictured here presentingYarmuth (right) with a BCTGM-PAC donation is InternationalRepresentative Bill Daunhauer.L. 42 (Atlanta) Bus. Mngr.Johnny Jackson (left) presentsCongressman David Scott (D-Ga.)with a BCTGM-PAC donation toaid in his re-election campaign.Rep. Scott is an avid support oflabor and BCTGM issues.U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy, who representsthe 8th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, is thefirst and only Iraq war veteran elected to Congress.Local 492 (Philadelphia) President Ed Rodgers (left)and Local 492 Nabisco Shop Chairman John Lazar(right) present Congressman Murphy with a BCTGM-PAC donation to aid in his re-election campaign.10 BCTGM News

NotableQuotes“His victory has sent a politicalthunderbolt across America tonight.It is yet another rejection of theHouse Republican agenda, the BushAdministration’s misguided policies,and John McCain’s campaign for a thirdBush term.”—DCCC chairman Chris VanHollen, on the significance ofTravis Childers, a Democrat,winning a House seat in aspecial election in staunchlyconservative northernMississippi.“I cannot support another tradeagreement ahead of enforcingour trade laws, improvingproduct safety, keeping ourpromises to working Americansand ensuring a level playing fieldfor businesses and workers.”—U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenowon the Columbia Free TradeAgreement (April 7, 2008)“The next president—President Obama orwhoever—has to listen toworkers’ demands!”—Stewart Acuff, AFL-CIOOrganizing Director,addressing the Jobswith Justice nationalconference and speakingof the importance of theEmployee free Choice Act.“A college degree has become lessof a guarantee of receiving healthand retirement benefits on the job.Over the last recession and recovery,college graduates in entry-leveljobs became less likely to receiveemployer-provided health insuranceand pension coverage.”—From a report by Lawrence Misheland Elise Gould, Economic PolicyInstitute, on the lack of benefitscollege-educated workers arereceiving when they join theworkplace.“UninsuredAmericans aresicker and dieearlier than thosewho have healthinsurance.”—Ron Pollack,executivedirector ofFamilies USA.“By passing this legislation today,Congress is taking the first steptoward doing what OSHA should havedone years ago.”—Representative George Miller, D-Calif.after the House of Representativespassed the Worker Protection againstCombustible Dust Explosions andFires Act (H.R. 5522) that wouldcompel OSHA to issue rules regulatingcombustible industrial dusts.May/June 2008 www.bctgm.org 11

2008 BCTGM International Scholarship RecipientsTThe BCTGM International proudly announces the winners of the 2008BCTGM International Scholarship Program. Ten $1,000 one-time awardswere presented to the below students. The winners were chosen from a totalof 224 applicants from the U.S. and Canada.The BCTGM International Scholarship Program is an example ofthe union’s committement to higher education at a time when collegecosts continue to soar out of reach for many working families. Since 1962,the International has helped fulfill the educational dreams of studentsrepresenting BCTGM families across North America.StephanieLau, daughterof Chen PoLau, memberof BCTGMLocal 125(Oakland,Calif.)employedat Svenhard’s Swedish Bakery.Stephanie will attend the Universityof California.Tin Nguyen,son of AnThi Nguyen,memberof BCTGMLocal 118(Washington,D.C.)employedat Giant Food. Tin will attend theUniversity of Virginia.Emily Gong, daughter of Alex Gong,memberof BCTGMLocal 37 (LosAngeles)employedat BimboBakery. Emilywill attend theUniversity ofCalifornia.SarahPiekarski,daughterof BrucePiekarski,memberof BCTGMLocal 125(Los Angeles)employed at General Mills. Sarahwill attend the University of Illinois.Alex Lu, sonof JeanneHua, memberof BCTGMLocal 125(Oakland,Calif.)employedat See’sCandies. Alex will attend theUniversity of California.RichardDuong, son ofRicky Duong,memberof BCTGMLocal 229T(Concord,N.C.)employedat Philip Morris USA. Richard willattend the University of NorthCarolina.GuillaumeSchmidt,son of AlainSchmidt,memberof BCTGMLocal 550(LaChine,Que.)employed at Humpty Dumpty Ltd.Guillaume will attend l’Universitédes Technologies Supérieures(Superior Technology University).Isaac Gobern,member andBusinessAgent ofBCTGM Local42 (Atlanta),will attendthe NationalLaborCollege.Elece Mitchell,memberof BCTGMLocal 6(Philadelphia)will attend theUniversity ofShippensburg.ElaineRomero,memberof BCTGMLocal 116(Syracuse,N.Y.) willattendBryant &StrattonCollege.12 BCTGM News

Temporary Foreign Worker ProgramExploited by CompaniesA new report by theAlberta Federation ofLabour (AFL) casts acritical eye on the way temporaryforeign workers (TFW’s) are usedin the province of Alberta. TheAFL released the report, TemporaryForeign Workers: Alberta’sDisposable Workforce because ofgrowing concern about theworking and living conditionsof the men and women thathave been brought to Canadafrom as far away as Asia, towork on construction sites, inwholesale bakeries, and in theservice industry.Over the past fiveyears, Canada’s federalgovernment has expandedthe Temporary ForeignWorker program in responseto demands from provincesand large employers, bothof whom claim there is acritical labour shortage inthe country. Ottawa issued106,750 temporary foreignworker permits in 2006, and103,000 were issued withinthe first nine months of 2007.That number is expected togrow dramatically because ofvarious measures introducedby the Harper government.The federal program usedto be centered on seasonaland agricultural workers butnow includes both skilled andunskilled workers. Over the pastseveral years, unions affiliatedwith the AFL, including theBCTGM, began raising concernsabout the welfare of thesetemporary workers.“The program is inherentlyflawed as workers under thisprogram have fewer rights thanimmigrants who enter Canadathrough other streams,” statesthe Report. “TFW’s who findthemselves in difficult situationsreally have no where to turn.”The Report reveals severalrecurring problems with the TFWprogram:• Low Wages and poor workingconditions• Unscrupulous Brokers• Inadequate Housing• Lack of Rights Enforcement• Convoluted BureaucracyMany TFW’s are unwilling tocomplain, for fear they will losetheir Canadian employmentand be returned to theircountry of origin. In addition,many of these workers areunaware of their provincialor federal legal protections,and therefore succumb to theintimidation and exploitationof their Canadian employers.Other provincesare also addressing theissue. On March 25, theManitoba Federation ofLabour presented a brief tothe Manitoba governmentoutlining recommendedamendments that arenecessary to make theEmployments Services Actmore responsive to the needsof Temporary Foreign Workers.In response, the Manitobagovernment is drafting aLetter of Understanding thatwould strengthen protectionsfor temporary foreign workers.According to Nancy Allen,Manitoba’s Minister of Labourand Immigration, the Letter ofUnderstanding would strengthensafe working conditions andfulfilling terms of employment.May/June 2008 www.bctgm.org 13

May DayMay 1st—May Day or International Workers’ Day—isa celebration of the social and economic achievementsof the international labor movement. In the U.S., MayDay is a commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre inChicago in 1886 when Chicago police fired on workersduring a general strike for the eight hour day, killing adozen demonstrators. Throughout the world, May Daycommonly sees organized street demonstrations bymillions of working people and their labor unions. In mostEuropean countries, May Day is an official holiday.BCTGM Local 1 (Chicago) Rec. Secy. Beth Zavala (left) and Local1 Bus. Agt. Rochelle Ross proudly display their BCTGM bannerduring the May Day rally in ChicagoPictured here is Gobern speaking while U.S. Rep. JohnLewis (right) listens.Turn Around AmericaL. 42 (Atlanta) Bus. Agt. Isaac Gobern speaksduring the Turn Around America health careforum. Panelists included Georgia CongressmenJohn Lewis, Hank Johnson, and David Scott.Gobern was chosen to be the labor leader panelistto explain to the elected officials how the currenthealth care crisis is a burden to union members—specifically during contract negotiations.Shop Stewards TrainIn Quebec City, BCTGM Local 261T (Quebec City) shopstewards recently met to upgrade their skills. Pictured here(from left to right) are members Pierre Paquet, StephanWittke, BCTGM Intl. Rep. Daniel Rondou, Nicolas Comeauand Pierre Lacroit.295 Years of MembershipBCTGM Local 2T members employed by Swisher Tobaccoin Wheeling, West Va. have a long, proud union history.Recently, ten union members were presented with unionpins and certificates honoring their long history of uniondedication. Pictured here with their service awards is (backrow, left to right) Michael Sovinsky (25), Arlie Crowe (40),John Hill (25), Stephen Leek (25), Joseph Urbanek (40), Intl.Rep. Bill Daunhauer, (front row, left to right) Virginia Conner(40), Richard Dillon (25) and Mark Kaminski (25). Notpictured is Daniel Manners (25) and Monte Casino (25).14 BCTGM News

Program Proves theUnion Difference forNew BCTGM MemberWhen Albert Aguirre of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco, and Grain Millers(BCTGM) Local 1 changed jobs last year, he went from a non-union candyfactory outside Chicago to a union plant in the same area.The improved pay, benefits and job security were no surprise to this skilledmechanics operator—that’s just what he expected from a union. But what hewasn’t expecting was help in buying his first home.“My Chase representative was a family friend,” Aguirre of Steger, IL, says.“And at that point I didn’t even know about the union mortgage program. Buthe knew I was union now, and one day he told me there was a program I reallyneeded to find out about.”What Aguirre learned was that the Union Plus Mortgage Program, which isavailable to BCTGM members as well as their parents and children, offered himprotection in the event of a strike, layoff or lockout. And the low down paymentand cap on fees would make it easier for him to get into a new home sooner.Since the program began, BCTGM members have saved almost $185,000 in fees.The timing was perfect. Aguirre, his girlfriend Angela Giudic, and theirdaughters Isabelle and Eden were sharing an apartment and their lease wasalmost up. “Rent was really costing us a lot of money,” Aguirre says. And so hethought, “Why don’t we spend a little more and have something we can really callour own?”After some searching they found just the home of their dreams: a brick fourbedroomranch with a finished basement, two bathrooms, a swimming pool andhot tub, and a yard so big that Aguirre bought a small tractor just for cutting thegrass. Aguirre remembers it was all a little overwhelming at first. “I’ve never hadso much responsibility,” he says. But now he’s starting to get used to it and lovesbeing a homeowner.Aguirre will be sure to tell his co-workers about the BCTGM mortgageprogram. “We’re union, and it’s a really good program—why wouldn’t you checkit out?” says Aguirre.One thing that made the first few months of homeownership a littleeasier was their “Welcome to Your First Home” Award. A few weeks beforeThanksgiving, he and Angela opened a package from Union Plus and weredelighted to discover $500 in gift cards to their local union grocery store.“That award,” Aguirre says, “paid for our Thanksgiving dinner!”The Union Plus Mortgage Program, provided by Chase, offers a full-range ofmortgage products. Program benefits include a cap on fees and special paymentassistance in the event of unemployment, disability, strike or lock out. Theseunique benefits—not offered by any other mortgage—have provided morethan $3.3 million to help union families since the program’s inception. BCTGMmembers have closed over $33.5 million in homes with the union mortgageprogram.To learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage Program, call1-800-848-6466or visitwww.UnionPlus.org/Mortgageto find a local office.5 Tips to KeepYour Wits(and Your Home)The home mortgage crisis hasaffected millions of workingfamilies. Here are five strategies youcan use to protect your home.• Be proactive. If you have anadjustable rate mortgage (ARM),call your lender now to find outwhen your rate will adjust, byhow much, and how often thiscan happen. If your rate hasalready gone up and you may notbe able to make your payment,contact your lender and ask ifthey will work out a plan thatworks for you.• Worried you’re at risk oflosing your home? Call theUnion Plus Save My HomeHotline at 1-866-490-5361 for free,confidential advice from HUDcertifiedhousing counselors. Faceto-facecounseling is also availableat more than 100 local offices in 22states and the District of Columbia.• The state you’re in. Manystates have been moving fasterthan the federal governmentin offering assistance tohomeowners in crisis. Contactyour state government and askwhat programs may be available.• Give yourself credit. If yourmortgage situation is part ofan overall credit problem, call1-877-733-1745 to schedule a freecredit counseling session.• Go union. The Union PlusMortgage Program offers lowclosing costs and other benefitsfor union members and families.It’s the only program in thecountry with the MortgageAssistance Program, which cancover your mortgage paymentin the event of disability,strike, lockout or layoff. Call1-800-848-6466.May/June 2008 www.bctgm.org 15