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on Building a Stronger Union through ORGANIZING2013 Fourth Region CouncilNew Initiatives,ProgramsDurkee also described theInternational’s new initiatives toimprove membership educationprograms, expand the use of socialmedia, and identify and trainyounger members.Meeting many of thecouncils’ delegates for the firsttime, International Secretary-Treasurer Steve Bertelli sharedhis personal background andextensive BCTGM experience asa local union officer, InternationalRepresentative and InternationalVice President. Bertelli alsoprovided delegates at each of themeetings with a comprehensivereport on the recently-concludedlockout at American Crystal Sugar.Newly-appointedInternational Director ofOrganization John Price discusseda number of organizing campaignsin which the International andlocal unions are currently engagedand reviewed recent NationalLabor Relations Board and courtdecisions that impact organizing.Price encouraged local officersto reach out and work with himto develop effective strategies forsuccessful local union organizingcampaigns.B&C Funds AdministrativeServices Manager Steve Brock andPension Fund Manager John Beckprovided delegates to each of thecouncils with a detailed reviewand explanation of the successfulRehabilitation Plan for the B&CFund, which ensures the Fund’sIntl. Pres. David B. Durkee (left) swears in newofficers at the East Central Council meeting.stability for many years to come.In reflecting on the springcouncil meetings, Durkee notes,“The high level of enthusiasmand solidarity I found at each ofthe meetings is very encouraging.Council officers and delegatesresponded positively to theorganizing challenge. Thesemeetings made it very clear thatwe have emerged from someof the toughest times in thisorganization’s proud history as astronger, more resilient union witha bright future.”May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 5

Signing off on the finalagreement, the Keeblernegotiating committeeposes for a photo.KEEBLER MEMBERSRatify New Master AgreementIt’s no secret that the BCTGM negotiates some ofthe finest contracts in the food industry. This provedtrue yet again after BCTGM members employed atKeebler Company agreed to a new Master Agreement inearly May.The four-year contract covers members employedat Keebler facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich., Cincinnati,Ohio, and Columbus, Ga. Keebler is a subsidiaryThe Kellogg Company. The BCTGM representsapproximately 4,500 members at Kellogg Company inboth the biscuit and ready-to-eat-cereal sectors.Highlights of the new contract include a wageincrease of $2.15 over the course of the contract,increases in accident and sickness benefits, improveddental coverage, a pension increase, and maintenance ofall health benefits.BCTGM members employed at Keebler make someof the best known and loved cookie and cracker brandsin the United States, including Chips Deluxe, PecanSandies, Townhouse, Zesta, Rainbow Chips Deluxe,Club, Cheez-It, Graham and Eggo.The negotiations were led by BCTGM InternationalRepresentative Jim Condran, in consultation withInternational Vice President Bob Oakley. Local unionrepresentatives on the negotiating team included Local42 (Atlanta) Business Agent Johnny Jackson, BusinessAgent Zack Townsend, members Tyrone Walker andJon Cockrell; Local 70 (Grand Rapids, Mich.) FinancialSecretary/Business Agent Orin Holder, PresidentMark Heintzelman, and member Rani Vitali; Local253 (Cincinnati): President Doug Walters, FinancialSecretary/Business Agent Shawn Turner, andRecording Secretary Michael Shoemaker.According to Condran, the negotiating committeewas well prepared to defend their member’s prioritiesduring the week-long negotiating session. “Ourcommittee knew exactly what the membership deemedmost important and based on our extensive researchwe knew what the company could afford,” saidCondran.“In the end, this agreement is a win-win situationfor both our members and the company. Our membersremain well compensated for their hard work,and Kellogg’s retains its qualified and productiveworkforce that has made it one of the top foodcompanies in the country,” concludes Condran.Finalizing changes to the union’s proposal is L. 70 Pres.Mark Heintzelman (left) and Intl. Rep. Jim Condran.May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 7

REPUBLICAN FILIBUSTERNext Battle for NLRB Nominees?On May 22, the Senate Health, Education, Laborand Pensions Committee voted to approvePresident Obama’s five nominees for the NationalLabor Relations Board (NLRB). There was strongRepublican opposition to the Democratic nomineeswhich likely means a fierce fight in the full Senateto get all five of the nominees confirmed. The battlenow moves to the full Senate.The NLRB has been under “relentless politicalattack [and] many elected officials are actively tryingto shut the NLRB down,” said Sen. Tom Harkin(D-Iowa) on May 16 as the Senate Health, Education,Labor and Pension Committee (HELP) openedconfirmation hearings on a package of nominees tothe board.The five nominees—three Democrats and twoRepublicans— must be confirmed by the full Senateand overcome an expected Republican filibusterbefore August when the term of one of the currentNLRB members ends and the board will be withouta quorum and unable to function.That, says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka,is exactly what the board’s opponents are after. Ina recent op-ed piece in The Hill, Trumka writes,“Extremist congressional Republicans and corporatelobbyists...want to weaken its power to protectworkers who choose to organize and form unionson the job...South Carolina Republican Sen. LindseyGraham, a key leader of the charge, said, ‘I willcontinue to block all nominations to the NLRB.... The NLRB as inoperable could be consideredprogress.’ ”Harkin noted the NLRB’s importance saying,“The Board is the only place workers can go if theyhave been treated unfairly and denied the basicprotections that the law provides...The Board is justas essential for our nation’s employers...Becausethis agency is absolutely critical to our country, toour economy, and to our middle class, it is deeplydisappointing to see what has happened to the Boardin recent years.”“Political game playing is impacting the everydaylives of people across America...there are realconsequences for real people,” said Harkin.He pointed to Illinois pressman Marcus Hedgerwho was illegally fired in 2010 and who the NLRBordered reinstated with back pay, but is caught inthe legal limbo generated by a recent court decisionin favor of employers and anti-worker groupschallenging the authority of the NLRB.Put the NLRB Back to WorkMichigan AFL-CIO President Karla SwiftJustice delayed is justice denied. In orderto rebuild an economy that benefits all workingpeople – union and non-union – the laws protectingworkers’ rights must be enforced. That’s the role ofthe National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – and itneeds to work.More than a year after bakers at six WestMichigan Panera Bread locations voted to unionized,the company refuses to negotiate. Those activein their union feel they are being targeted forretaliation. Workers like Kyle Schilling, who wasfired by the company for union activity, have norecourse. This local situation mirrors thousandsof cases around the country, in which an inactiveNLRB is holding thelives of working peoplein limbo.Talking aboutforming or joininga union in order tobargain for a better lifeisn’t illegal, and yourboss shouldn’t be ableto fire or retaliateagainst you for it. Butwithout a functioning NLRB, such intimidation byemployers goes unchecked and innocent peoplehave their financial lives ruined.8 BCTGM News

Factsabout the NLRB Confirmation ProcessPresident Obama has nominated a package of five individuals to serve on theNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB). It is essential that the Senate act promptly to confirm theseindividuals in order to keep this important agency operational to protect workers’ rights.The package of five nominees includes three current members of theBoard—Chairman Mark Pearce and Members Sharon Block and Richard Griffin—and twonominees who have not served previously on the Board and who have been drawn fromthe ranks of attorneys who represent management in disputes with employees: Philip Miscimarra andHarry Johnson. They clearly have views on labor relations matters that we do not agree with. Butworking people need and deserve a functioning NLRB, and confirmation of a full package of nomineeswill provide that stability.It is urgent that the nominations be considered and approved quickly. Atpresent, two of the five seats on the Board are vacant and the term of one of the three current Boardmembers, Chairman Pearce, will expire in August. Without action by the Senate, the Board will soonbe left without the quorum of at least three members that is required in order for the Board tofunction.The DC Circuit’s decision in the Noel Canning case on President Obama’srecess appointments to the NLRB makes confirmation of the package evenmore urgent. The decision has seriously undermined enforcement of the law, creating chaos anduncertainty for workers who have turned to the Board for protection of their rights. Employers areusing the Noel Canning decision to challengethe Board’s decisions, and the DC Circuit isputting these cases on hold, leaving workerswithout remedies when they are illegally firedfor union activity or when their employerrefuses to bargain with their representative.There is nothing unprecedentedabout the Senate being askedto confirm a package of fivenominees. Since the mid 1980’s, the Senatehas confirmed packages to the NLRB. Indeed,in the last 25 years, all but two of the 18different nominees confirmed to seats on theBoard have been confirmed as part of such apackage, and many of them had been serving asrecess appointees when they were confirmed.Working people need and deservea confirmed NLRB now. The Senatemust act promptly to confirm the nominations.This will remove any doubt about the Board’sauthority to act and restore stability to oursystem of labor-management relations.May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 9

YOUNG WORKERSWHAT’S ON OUR POLICY AGENDA?Workers under the age of 34 face higherunemployment rates than olderworkers and make up nearly half of the currentlyunemployed. As student debt continues to buildup – exceeding even credit card debt – and wagesstagnate or fall for workers with or without acollege degree, young workers are accruing lesswealth than their parents, perhaps the first timein U.S. history when a generation has failed to dobetter than its parents.On May 8, the AFL-CIO Next Up program, inpartnership with Campus Progress, GenerationalAlliance, the Young Invincibles, the RooseveltInstitute Campus Network and Jobs with Justice,hosted the National Youth Economic PolicyForum. This event was the first of its kind: Youngworkers and youth activists gathered at AFL-CIOheadquarters in Washington, D.C., to discussthe state of the economy and begin the processof building an economic policy platform for themillennial generation.Matthew Clark of the BCTGM InternationalResearch & Education Department was among theparticipants to help tackle the question: What isthe economic policy of young workers?Participants engaged in in-depth conversationson education access and student debt, economicinequality, job creation and youth unemployment,the federal budget and building a modernworkplace. They were joined by Rep. Keith Ellison(DFL-Minn.); state Rep. Kevin Killer (D-S.D.); PortiaWu, White House Domestic Policy council memberand special assistant to the president for Labor andWorkforce Policy; and AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler for a panel discussion andQ&A on building a sustainable economy.The day concluded with a rundown of eachgroup’s discussion. The common theme was a needto support young workers and the unemployedby coming to terms with the fact that the youngergeneration is unique, not only in the economicsituation they face, but in how they think of their roleboth in the workforce and the policy process.There are a number of ways that millennialsdiffer from their generational counterparts, andthe AFL-CIO’s new youth policy platform hopesto address them all and find ways to support andenhance the rights of young workers.“The event went better than I could haveimagined,” said Sarah Lewis, AFL-CIO researcher andthe powerhouse behind the forum. “Yesterday wasthe first time that labor had deliberately partneredwith youth organizations to discuss the issues ofour day. Though some may argue that unions aren’trelevant to young people anymore, we know that’snot true. Work connects us all. This will hopefullybe the first of many events for the AFL-CIO and ouryouth community organization partners.”Participants to the AFL-CIO’s National Youth Economic Policy Forum (Photo by Joseph Kekeris)10 BCTGM News

BCTGM Participates inGEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ProjectOn April 9, 2013, BCTGMInternational President David B.Durkee participated in special labor briefingof the Bargaining for the Future Project atGeorgetown University in Washington, D.C.The event, hosted by GeorgetownUniversity President John J. DeGioia, broughttogether national labor leaders to discuss howorganizations might work together to meetthe challenges that the 21 st century economyposes for working people.The special project of the GeorgetownbasedKalmanovitz Institute for Labor andthe Working Poor, includes a series of ameetings among labor activists, academics,workers rights advocates, and other allies,about the future of worker organizations, bargainingand representation.“Organized labor is in a deepening crisis, withthe momentum of adverse forces gathering speedas indicated by a string of recent events such as theMichigan right-to-work vote. Union membershipdensity figures for 2012 were the lowest in a century,”reports the Kalmanovitz Initiative in a position paperthat outlines the nature of labor’s issues.The initial meeting was the first in a series ofevents that will feature working groups that will focuson three primary areas: the need to respond to thefragmentation of worker bargaining power in theeconomy; the need to develop new forms of collectiveaction as a means of building worker power; and theneed to develop new, democratically accountablevehicles for worker representation.On May 9, BCTGM International ResearchSpecialist Matthew J. Clark attended the first meetingof the working group. The purpose of the meetingwas discussion of a position paper, “Bargaining forthe Future: Rethinking Labor’s Recent Past andPlanning Strategically for Its Future.” Accordingto Clark, the discussion focused on new ways laborunions can organize, innovative strategies that can beused to secure collective bargaining agreements andnew forms of representation that labor can utilize.Participants also took part in small discussion groupswhere many of these ideas were debated and discussedin greater detail.The BCTGM will participate in working groupson Bargaining for the Future Project scheduled atGeorgetown University through the fall.REPEAL SequestrationIn the last few months, AFGE, the largest federalemployee union in the U.S., has led mass protestsacross the country to stop sequestration. In Salt LakeCity, Utah, BCTGM Local 401 members joined other unionmembers for AFGE’s Rally to Repeal Sequestration outside theBennett Federal Building. “We rallied in support of our AFGEbrothers and sisters who face cuts as a result of sequestration,”notes L. 401 Secretary-Treasurer/Business Agent RobertRogers who is pictured here (center) with a AFGE member(left) and L. 401 member Rick Durrant (right), the chief shopsteward at the Dannon West Jordan, Utah plant.May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 11

201 3 BCT GMScholarship WinnersThe BCTGM International proudly announces the winners of the 2013 BCTGMInternational Scholarship Program. Ten $1,000 one-time awards were presented to thebelow students. The winners were chosen from a total of 113 applicants from the U.S. and Canada.The BCTGM International Scholarship Program is an example of the union’s committmentto higher education at a time when college costs continue to soar out of reach for many workingfamilies. Since 1962, the International has helped fulfill the educational dreams of studentsrepresenting BCTGM families throughout North America.{ }Hajira Ahmed,daughter of Syed K.A.Ahmed, memberof BCTGM Local347G (Danville, Ill.),employed at QuakerOats. Hajira willattend the Universityof Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Austin Dean, son ofJames Dean, memberof BCTGM Local103G (Decatur, Ill.),employed at ArcherDaniels Midland.Austin will attendthe University ofMississippi.Pier-AnneGiroux, daughterof Céline Ferland,member andemployee ofBCTGM Local 480(Ste-Marie, QC)office headquarters.Pier-Anne willattend LavalUniversity.JoAnnaHernandez,daughter of ReyesHernandez, Jr.,member of BCTGMLocal 290G (Nyssa,Ore.), employed atAmalgamated SugarCompany. JoAnnawill attend WillametteUniversity.Irene Lam,daughter of WayneLam, member ofBCTGM Local125 (San Leandro,Calif.), employed atSvenhard’s Bakery.Irene will attendOccidental College.Not Pictured: LexieRindler, daugherof BCTGM Local 19(Cleveland) memberGregory Rindler,employed at DannonCompany.Jackson Maddox,son of John Maddox,member of BCTGMLocal 48G (Keokuk,Iowa), employed atRoquette America.John will attend IowaState University.Toni Nelson,member andemployee ofBCTGM Local372G (Hillsboro,N.D.), employed atAmerican CrystalSugar. Toni willattend MinnesotaState CommunityTechnical College.Clancy Russell,daughter of JamesRussell, memberof Local 203T(Richmond, Va.)employed at PhilipMorris. Clancy willattend the Universityof North Carolina atChapell Hill.Steely Russell (twinsister to Clancy,left), daughterof James Russell,member of Local203T (Richmond, Va.)employed at PhilipMorris. Steely willattend the Universityof North Carolina atChapell Hill.12 BCTGM News

Immigration REFORMBCTGM Local 6 (Philadelphia)members rally for immigrationreform in Reading, Pa. outsideCongressman Jim Gerlach’s (R- Pa.,6th District)office. Pictured here (clockwise, from left) is ChiefSteward Matt McDonough (Savor Street Foods/The Bachman Company), L. 6 Bus. Rep. KevinLooney, Steward Shirley Seider (Savor Street) andL.6 Pres. Barry Fields.Local 36G Secures First Contract at ISLAND OASISWhen Rich Foods announced it was closing itsflagship plant in upstate New York in 2010,BCTGM Local 36G (Buffalo, N.Y.) members thoughtthey had lost their jobs for good. While Buffalo-basedRich Products maintained its R&D and headquartersin Buffalo, the company initially claimed that it wouldbe more efficient to move production from the agingplant to Rich Foods locations in other areas of thecountry.However, soon after the facility was shuttered,Rich Products announced that a new company,Island Oasis Manufacturing, would be leasing the170,000-square-foot plant. Workers were called backto the plant and coincidentally, continued to producethe same products formerly made by Rich.Local 36G union leaders sprang into action.First the union filed charges with the National LaborRelations Board (NLRB) claiming that Island Oasiswas a “successor” employer and that it should haveto abide by the collective bargaining agreement Local36G had with Rich Products.While the charges wound their way throughthe legal system, local union leadership, includingLocal 36G BusinessRepresentative ThomasBingler, Local 36GPresident Scott Baer andLocal 36G FinancialSecretary-TreasurerPhillip Julias, withassistance from theInternational Union,made sure to keep theworkers at Island Oasisorganized. Many ofthe workers who hadreturned to work forIsland Oasis had spentdecades at the plant with Rich’s.On October 6, 2011, an NLRB AdministrativeLaw Judge ruled that Island Oasis was indeed asuccessor employer and must bargain with Local36G. The company decided not to appeal thedecision and willingly began negotiations.Building a first union contract with a companythat had no experience with collective bargainingtook significant time. Bingler notes that the IslandOasis agreement was “built from scratch, word forword, article by article.”Bingler proudly reports that negotiations forthe first contract concluded in April and membersratified the new four-year agreement. The newcontract covers all production and maintenanceworkers as well as truck drivers employed by thewholesale frozen beverage company.The negotiating committee included Bingler andLocal 36G members Jake Bearfield and Jim Cook.At the contract ratification meeting, Bearfield waselected Executive Steward (Chief Steward that has aseat on the Executive Board) and Cook was electedfirst Shop Steward.May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 13

ASSISTANCE for Union MembersImpacted by the OKLAHOMA TORNADOUnion members living in areas impactedby the tornados that struck theOklahoma City area and who participatein Union Plus programs may be eligiblefor financial assistance.Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 areavailable to help participants in the Union PlusCredit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs whoare facing financial hardship due to this devastatingnatural disaster. The money does not have to berepaid.To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster ReliefGrant, a union member must:• Have been a victim of the severe weather incounties designated by FEMA as qualifying forindividual assistance.• Have experienced a significant loss of incomeor property within the last six months due tothe disaster.• Have had a Union Plus Credit Card, Union PlusInsurance policy or Union Plus Mortgage for atleast 12 months with the account or policy ingood standing (be up-to-date on payments).• Describe his or her circumstances anddocument the income or property loss.To apply for a disaster relief grant, union memberswho participate in any of the following programscan call:• Union Plus Credit Card: 1-877-761-5028• Union Plus Mortgage: 1-800-472-2005• Union Plus Insurance: 1-800-472-2005Union Plus Mortgage and Credit Card holders mayalso be eligible to receive payment extensions orother special help.Not impacted by the stormbut want to help?You can donate to the Red Cross bytexting “REDCROSS” to 90999 whichwill send a $10 donation.*You can also donate $10 to the SalvationArmy, who will be setting up mobile feedingunits, by texting “STORM” to 80888.Lastly, the United Way of CentralOklahoma has activated its disaster relieffund. Information on the fund can be foundat www.unitedwayokc.org. Donationsmay be made through their website or bymail to United Way of Central Oklahoma,P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101,with notation for May Tornado Relief.*Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deductedfrom your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorizedby account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parentalpermission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply.Text STOP to 90999 to STOP. Text HELP to 90999 for HELP.Full terms and privacy policy: redcross.org/mPhoto: American Red Cross*The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided more than$780,000 in assistance to union members facing hardshipsfollowing Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, floods, wild fires andother natural disasters.May/June 2013 www.bctgm.org 15

Printed in the U.S.A.FUTURE OF UNIONS?Please join inan importantconversation aboutthe future forAmerica’s working menand women and the futureof the labor movement.The 2013 AFL-CIO Convention will beheld September 8-11 in Los Angeles.Help shape the agenda by answering propsed questionsonline and joining the conversation. Submit yourthought-provoking panel, best practice, training orcreative proposal for an action session at the convention.Visit the 2013 AFL-CIOConvention website NOW toadd your voice! aflcio2013.orgWe’re ALLin thistogether.#1uFutureAdd your voice.aflcio2013.org