The BCTGM Voices Project

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

022: BCTGM Organizing Dir. John Price and Hearthside Foods Worker Jason Maynard on Hanging in There and Organizing in 2021

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.

021: #RichProductsPoorWorkers: Shop Steward Julissa Marquez on the Jon Donaire Strike

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!

020: Kellogg‘s on STRRR-IKE! Workers Share Their Stories, Solidarity Across Picket Lines & Deep Gratitude for their Supportive Communities

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

 

019: Kellogg‘s on STRRR-IKE! East-Central Region VP Roger Miller Discusses the Contract Issues + Action Items for Supporting the Workers

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

018: HOW THEY DID IT: Nabisco Union Leaders, Oregon AFL-CIO and BCTGM International Staff Pass on Lessons Learned from the #NabiscoStrike

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