Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The BCTGM Voices Project

Following a brief journey through the history of the Tobacco Workers International Union (TWIU), we review what led to its merger with the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union in 1978.

Leaders at three different BCTGM Tobacco Local Unions then discuss the current status of the tobacco industry, its Union density in the South, the effects of the changing culture around tobacco use, and a little about the differences in tobacco products that are BCTGM-made in Canada vs. the United States.

Guests: 

• Aaron Graves, JTI Liggett, President, BCTGM Local 176T / International General Executive Board Member
• Pierre-Luc Doucet, Rothman’s, Benson and Hedges, President, BCTGM Local 261T / International General Executive Board Member
• Kevin Lindsey, Swedish Match/ZYN, President, BCTGM Local 196T
• Chris Graves, Swedish Match/ZYN, Vice President, BCTGM Local 196T
• Mike Aldrich, Swedish Match/ZYN, Financial Secretary, BCTGM Local 196T

Most people believe the sugar they use and consume everyday comes from sugarcane, but in the United States about 60% of it is Union-made from sugar beets in the cooler climates of the northern Midwest and Western regions of the country.

BCTGM members in Michigan, North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho and Wyoming process nearly 100% of the sugar from sugar beets – for companies like Michigan Sugar, Amalgamated Sugar, Wyoming Sugar, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, American Crystal and Sidney Sugar. Much of it ends up in bags on your grocery shelves, but a lot also goes into other food products, such as BCTGM-made Kellogg’s and General Mills cereals and other sweet snacks.

In this episode, two BCTGM Local Union leaders at Amalgamated Sugar in Idaho discuss their unique jobs and the importance of their Union contracts.

Guests: 

• Shawn Fowler, President, BCTGM Local 282G
• Brendan Van Sickle, President, BCTGM Local 283G

Supporting:

• David Woods, BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer/Dir. of Organization
• Shad Clark, BCTGM International Vice President, Western Region

Different than the external act of going into facilities where there is no union and attempting to start one—Internal Organizing is fundamentally about building a union culture in your workplace where, when given the choice to belong or opt out of the Union, workers would ultimately desire to be a part of it.

This is the only way to strengthen our Local Unions against the rising threat of Right-to-Work laws. Learn how BCTGM local Unions are doing it in the Right to Work states of Indiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma.

We hear from: 

• David Woods, BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer/Director of Organization
• Clint Lathrop, BCTGM Local 372A (Indianapolis, Ind.) Business Agent
• Rob Gaskins, BCTGM Local 57 (Columbus, Ohio) Business Agent
• Karlos Brothers, BCTGM Local 366G (Oklahoma City, Okla.) President
• Darian Haggins, BCTGM 366G (Oklahoma City, Okla.) Vice President
• with historical clips from former BCTGM Director of Organization John Price

We dedicate this episode to our late Organizing Director John Price, who dedicated his entire working life to helping workers organize with the BCTGM. We will continue the fight in his honor. 

Learn the legislative and political challenges of Labor in the last century, which inform the BCTGM's political positions today. 

We hear from:

• Joe McCartin, Georgetown Univ. Professor, Executive Director of Kalmanovitz Initiative fo Labor and the Working Poor
• John Price, BCTGM Director of Organization

References from this episode:

• Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America - Book by Joe McCartin
• Labor’s Great War: The Struggle for Industrial Democracy and the Origins of Modern American Labor Relations, 1912-1921 - Book by Joe McCartin

• Bargaining for the Common Good Initiative

On July 22, 2024 a wire transfer of $3.3 billion in relief funds from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to the B&C Industry International Pension Fund was completed. The fight for the Butch Lewis Act - which began in 2017 and passed as a pension provision in the 2021 American Rescue Plan - was realized.

President Shelton sent a memo to U.S. BCTGM Local Unions that day announcing: "Our money is in the bank. The promise of pension reform has been realized for more than 100,000 BCTGM retirees."

We hear from BCTGM Leaders who worked for many years to save our pensions:

• Anthony Shelton, BCTGM International President
• Harry Kaiser, Retired Asst. to the President/Political Director
• Elizabeth Briere, Pension Fund Manager, B&C Trust Funds
• with historical clips from Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and former BCTGM International Presidents David B. Durkee and Frank Hurt

We dedicate this episode to our late president David B. Durkee, who fought for his entire time in office to fix the pension crisis. His legacy now underscores the security of generations of BCTGM Retirees, who will live the sunset years of their lives in dignity thanks to his passion and diligence. 

Get the decades-long backstory on this multi-location organizing campaign and save the date for London, Ky.’s Union election on May 7 and 8.

We hear from:

• John Price, BCTGM Director of Organization
• Jason Maynard, Forklift Operator, 22-year employee of Hearthside Foods (McComb, Ohio)
• Lisa Gregory, BCTGM East-Central Region International Rep.
• Liticia Horton, Oven Operator, 29-year employee of Hearthside Foods (London, Ky.)
• Roxanne Hallman, Mixing Machine Operator, 12-year employee of Hearthside Foods (London, Ky.)
• Veronica Hopkins, BCTGM Midwest Region International Rep.
• Ryan Hocke, BCTGM Midwest Region International Rep.

References from this episode:

• Workers File for an Election in London, Ky.
• January 2022 Hearthside Update from John Price and Jason Maynard

An update on the Local 390G #IFFStrike in Memphis, Tenn. – now approaching its 5th month.

We hear from:

• David Woods, BCTGM International Secretary Treasurer
• Jason Thomas, BCTGM International Representative/IFF Lead Negotiator
• Cedric Wilson, BCTGM Local 390G President, 10-Year Operator at IFF
• Kevin Passeretti, BCTGM Local 390G Shop Steward, 35-year QA Analyst at IFF

Resources from this episode:

• 4 Ways to Support the IFF Strike
• IFF Strike Facebook Page

Workers give their take on the issues at play in the #IFFStrike.

We hear from:

• Jason Thomas, BCTGM International Representative/IFF Lead Negotiator
• Cedric Wilson, BCTGM Local 390G President
• Cometris Morgan, BCTGM Local 390G Vice President
• Tanya Walker, 21-year member, Shop Steward/Trustee
• Zandra Lee, 28-year member 
• Jessica Merriweather, 6-year member
• Bob Thompson, 1-year member (22-year employee of IFF)

Resources from this episode:

• 3 Ways to Support the IFF Strike
• IFF Strike Facebook Page

Covering all sides of the BCTGM’s Education and Training programs:

• Part One: An overview with the program director/head of the BCTGM's Research and Education Department, Matthew Clark.
• Part Two: Trainees from the most recent New Officers Training at the Maritime Institute in Baltimore, Md. give their feedback and insight.

Also hear from International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods, Organizing Director John Price and Local 6 President Hank McKay - on-site to contribute their mentorship and wisdom. 

Interested in attending, setting up or sending someone to a future leadership training? Contact Research & Education Director Matthew Clark at mclark@bctgm.org.

Southern Region International Rep. Darrell Copeland has been working with Hostess members in Georgia to improve union involvement in their plant, which operates in a Right-to-Work-for-Less state.

 

In this two-part episode, Copeland takes us through his personal journey as an emerging leader in the BCTGM - and then teams up with Local 84 Asst. Chief Shop Steward Michael Wilson to explain how they are strengthening the workers’ bargaining power at Hostess Brands.

BCTGM Legislative and Political Director/Asst. to the President Harry Kaiser and Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga weigh in with valuable info on the upcoming midterm elections.   Kaiser reviews rules of the BCTGM-PAC Fund + how we are using our resources to lobby for BCTGM working families, while President Burga discusses the issues on the ballot in Ohio, and the importance of getting this election right in the swing states.

Recorded LIVE on August 1st during the 41st Constitutional Convention: BCTGM Digital Media Director Michelle Ellis moderates a panel discussion from the stage with input from International Staff Members Andrew Gutierrez and Jared Cummings, and BCTGM Local 218 Business Manager Chantel Mendenhall.

The group offers lessons learned from using social media to engage members, leverage awareness in the historic 2021 strikes, and the challenges that arise when using it in organizing.

BCTGM Local 85 (Sacramento, Calif.) Fin. Secy. Jerry Gil and Corn Nuts Facility Shop Steward Larry Cuevas discuss the health insurance issues surrounding the ULP #CornNutsStrike.

Check out the Public Facebook Page, Corn Nuts Workers On Strike to keep up with their stories, and go to bit.ly/CornNutsStrike to learn how you can support.

BCTGM Local 100G (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Fin. Secy. Ryan Hocke and Negotiating Committee Member Chris Eby discuss the over-scheduling, job elimination and wage issues surrounding the #IngredionStrike.

Check out the Public Facebook Group, BCTGM 100G - Ingredion Cedar Rapids - On Strike! to keep up with their stories, and go to bit.ly/IngredionStrike to learn how you can support.

On March 24th, workers at the Hershey facility in Stuarts Draft, Virginia ultimately voted NOT to unionize with BCTGM by a count of 843 to 225. In this episode, worker committee members Jim Gibson and Janice Taylor join BCTGM staff organizers to reflect on the campaign.

Digital Media Dir. Michelle Ellis runs through a list of ten AUDIENCES to consider when posting on social media: The advantages of engaging each group and content we can post in order to connect with each one.

Throughout the last several months of contract negotiations, Local 22 in Minneapolis, Minn. has been fighting back demands by UNFI/Cub Foods to take the quality UNION retirement and health care benefits from BCTGM members who work in their bakeries.

 

In this episode, we get the full scoop from the Local President Wally Borgan and UNFI/Cub Foods Bakery Manager/Local 22 Bargaining Committee member Amy Nelson: What exactly is being proposed and the direct effect those proposed changes would have on Amy’s family.

 

In addition to sharing this recording with your networks, you can support their struggle by sending an email to UNFI/Cub Foods execs via their action network. campaign.

Digital Media Dir. Michelle Ellis applies tips from Digital Insights Episode 8: “We Are What We Consistently Do”, determining whether the Podcast is producing desired outcomes from the proposal submitted to leadership in 2020. We discuss lessons learned through worker action, social media progress we made and renew our intentions for the coming year.

 

Highlights: 

• Three Podcast guests who took on more responsibility 2021
• Members who are becoming the teachers
• Facebook Groups as a tool for solidarity in mobilization

One year after recording our very first episode of the BCTGM Voices Project, Organizing Director John Price returns for a full Organizing update on the year 2021.

Joining the discussion is Jason Maynard, a worker at the non-union Hearthside Foods facility in McComb, Ohio which BCTGM has been trying to Organize since the 1990's. Jason recalls egregious union-busting tactics and harrowing safety concerns on the account of his employer. All-too-common stories which paint the perfect picture of why Labor Law must be reformed to better protect workers in the United States.

Local 37 (Los Angeles, Calif.) Shop Steward Julissa Marquez discusses the unfair wage, overtime and pension issues surrounding the Jon Donaire strike.

“LIKE” the Rich’s Union Members Appreciation Facebook Page to keep up with their stories!

A follow-up to the previous episode with East-Central Region Vice Pres. Roger Miller – in this recording the workers give their inside take on the #KelloggStrike from every location.

We hear from:

• Local 252G, Memphis, Tenn.: Local Vice Pres./Kellogg’s Unitizer Operator Kevin Bradshaw
• Local 50G, Omaha, Neb.: BCTGM Member/Kellogg’s Coater Operator Victor Francia
• Local 3G, Battle Creek, Mich.: Kellogg’s Crew Leader Heather Greene & Head Proccessing Operator Donivan Williams
• Local 374G, Lancaster, Pa.: BCTGM Member/Kellogg’s Extruder Operator Andy Johnson

 

Resources from this episode (PDF):

• 5 Ways to Support the #KelloggStrike
• Social Media Flyer
• #KelloggStrike Fact Sheet
• Picket/Letter-Writing Locations & Strike Funds

 

Featured Music: Never Cross a Picket Line, Billy Bragg

 

On October 5th, nearly 1,400 BCTGM members at cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich., Omaha, Neb., Lancaster, Pa. and Memphis, Tenn. went on STRIKE against the Kellogg Company.

In this episode, the lead Union negotiator for their contract – BCTGM East-Central Region Vice President Roger Miller – talks about the complicated sticking points which led an overwhelming 90% of the workers to vote in favor of a strike.

Resources from this episode (PDF):

• 5 Ways to Support the #KelloggStrike
• Social Media Flyer
• #KelloggStrike Fact Sheet
• Picket/Letter-Writing Locations & Strike Funds

Our thoughts on everything from strikeline leadership and community organizing to fielding press calls and captivating the working class on social media.

In this episode, we hear from:

• Richmond, Va.: Local 358 Fin. Secy./Bus. Agt. Darlene Carpenter
• Portland, Ore.: Local 364 Vice Pres./Nabisco Pest Controller Mike Burlingham and Oregon AFL-CIO Pres. Graham Trainor
• Kensington, Md.: BCTGM Int’l PR/Communications Dir. Corrina Christensen

A follow-up to the previous episode with BCTGM Int'l. Secy. Treas. David Woods – in this recording the workers give their inside take on the #NabiscoStrike from every location.

From each strike line, we hear from:

• Local 364, Portland, Ore.: Local Bus. Agt. Cameron Taylor & Vice Pres./Nabisco Pest Controller Mike Burlingham
• Local 26, Aurora, Colo.: Local Pres./Bus. Mgr. Clifton Horton & Chief Steward/Exec. Board Member/Nabisco Replenisher (Fork Lift Driver) Rusty Lewis
• Local 358, Richmond, Va.: East-Central Region Intl. Rep. Lisa Gregory & Member/Nabisco Oiler Nathan Williams
• Local 1, Chicago, Ill.: BCTGM Rank & File Organizer Jared Cummings & Member/Nabisco Utility Operator Yvette Hale, II.
• Local 42, Atlanta, Ga.: Local Union Organizer Melissa Morley & Chief Steward/Nabisco Route Driver Edwin Martin, Jr.

Follow their Facebook Page: Nabisco Workers Unite

Check the Label! Download an Action Flyer 

BCTGM Int'l. Secy. Treas. David Woods talks about the history and context behind the #NabiscoStrike - which has had members at multiple plant locations walking out in phases. At the time of this recording, there are more than 1,000 BCTGM Members on strike in four different cities.

Follow their Facebook Page: Nabisco Workers Unite

Check the Label! Download an Action Flyer 

A case study for the Topka Frito-Lay Union Members Appreciation Facebook Page - which grew by 2,000 followers in 10 days during the #FritoLayStrike. Local 218 Trustee/FritoLay Crewing Coordinator Chantel Mendenhall (the page's admin) and BCTGM Midwest International Rep. Jason Davis give us their insight.

BCTGM Midwest International Representative Jason Davis and Local 218 Chief Steward Paul Klemme talk about the labor issues which led them to strike against FritoLay in Topeka, Kansas on July 5th. Hear their stories and learn how you can support the workers on and off the picket line!

One of the BCTGM's most enthusiastic young leaders - Local 351 (Albuquerque, NM) President Andrew Gutierrez - offers his perspective on community outreach, political action and staying connected to his membership both in-person and on social media.

Digital Media Dir. Michelle Ellis gives tips for clearer, more creative social media posts and references a handful of free smart phone apps that can help you get the job done. Apps Referenced:

Photo Editing

• Tezza
• Adobe Lightroom

 

Graphics/Text Overlays

• Canva
• Word Swag

 

Designing Stories/Slides

• Unfold

 

Social Media Links/Websites

• MilkShake
• LinkTree
• Biosite

International President Anthony Shelton reflects on his BCTGM upbringing and journey the Union's highest office. In gratitude of the leaders who came before, he discusses his service-based vision for the future of our organization.

Digital Media Dir. Michelle Ellis helps you identify "upper limit problems" that could hinder long-term membership growth/retention; and offers tips for optimizing the work of individual Organizers in order to make the most effective use of our Organizations' time.

Local 6 Pres. Hank McKay, Bus. Agent/Organizer Corey Walter and a Local 6 Retired Activist tell us how they insulated their Local Union against a 5-year, 531-member loss - coming out with a net-gain of 370 members in that time.

A follow-up to Episode 006: How Well Does Your Local Union Function to Support ORGANIZING? Digital Media Dir. Michelle Ellis helps you build a routine for improving your Local Union's visibility in the community; and explains how this formula can apply to any of the points on your "Organizer's Success Wheel."

  References for this recording:

• Worksheet: bctgm.org/PDFs/BCTGMOrganizersWheel.pdf
• Podcast #6: podbean.com/ei/pb-g4arx-fdb5b6
• Free Calendar pages: www.wiki-calendar.com

How the American Rescue plan SAVED our Pensions, how the PRO Act will protect our right to Organize and how the Georgia Special Elections changed the game for Labor and the BCTGM.

Guests for this Episode:

• Harry Kaiser, Political Dir./Asst. to President Anthony Shelton, BCTGM
• John Price, Organizing Dir., BCTGM
• David Driscoll-Knight, East Region Field Dir., AFL-CIO
• Richard Womack, Asst. to AFL-CIO Pres. Richard Trumka
• Jared Cummings, Rank & File Organizer, BCTGM Local 53 Exec. Board
• Margaret McLaughlin, International Rep./Organizer, BCTGM

Digital Media Director Michelle Ellis guides you through a visualization to measure your organization's daily Organizing momentum. CLICK HERE to download the worksheet used in this recording.

 

Listen to the follow-up training to this recording: 008: Digital Insights: "We Are What We Consistently Do"

Blues City Brewery employee Jasmine White and Local 149 (Memphis, Tenn.) Pres./Bus. Agent Letitia Malone discuss their journey to this December 2020 Organizing WIN.

Digital Media Director Michelle Ellis gives four tips for growing/maintaining engagement on your organization's Facebook page(s).

BCTGM International Representative Lisa Gregory talks about growing up Union, holding office at Local 58G and all she has learned about organizing and negotiating along the way.

In the first installment of Digital Insights, a training segment within the BCTGM Voices Project, Michelle Ellis talks about how lead generation works using Facebook Ads.

John Price discusses hopes for the National Labor Relations Board under a new U.S. President, obstacles overcome with new tools and personnel in 2020 and several recent Organizing campaigns.

The BCTGM Podcast is in the universe! Michelle Ellis introduces the format and purpose of this project.