The BCTGM Voices Project

032: Educating BCTGM Local Union Officers and Stewards | with Research & Education Director Matthew Clark

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.

031: Meet Darrell Copeland, Hostess Local 84 and Asst. Chief Shop Steward Michael Wilson

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.

030: Midterm Elections, BCTGM-PAC Rules and Labor 2022 Action Items with Political Director Harry Kaiser and Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga

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.

029: LIVE Panel Discussion from #BCTGM2022 on the Impact of Social Media

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.

028: #CornNutsStrike Local 85 Fin. Secy. Jerry Gil and Shop Steward Larry Cuevas Discuss the Issues

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.

027: #IngredionStrike Local 100G Fin. Secy. Ryan Hocke and Committee Member Chris Eby Discuss the Issues

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.

026: Reflecting on the Hershey Campaign | A Discussion with Workers and Organizers

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.

025: Digital Insights: ”Who Am I Even Talking To?” | A Discussion About AUDIENCES

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.

024: ”Hands off Workers’ Benefits!” Local 22 Takes on UNFI/Cub Foods in the Midwest

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.

023: Digital Insights: Social Media Progress We Made in 2021, Lessons Learned and a Vision for Year Ahead

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