The following letter was sent to Earthgrains CEO Barry Beracha by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) to clarify the core issues involved in the strike against the company by more than 3,000 workers.
Dear Mr. Beracha:
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Let’s get right to the bottom line!
Apparently your negotiators are not telling you what issues are involved in this strike; otherwise you would not claim that you have no understanding of them. This strike started in Ft. Payne, Ala. on August 26, 2000, and we assumed you knew what our core issues are.
We cannot be any clearer on those issues than this:
- No time and one-half after eight hours in Mobile, Ala. This is one of only two organized plants in your system that does not pay time and one-half after eight hours. We are amazed and aghast to be even talking about this issue in the Year 2000!
- Excessive and Forced Overtime: Too many consecutive days worked without a day off. One Earthgrains worker worked seventy (70) days with only one day off. In fact, on the 66th day he was working as an extra and he was not allowed to go home.
- Stress: Push, Push, and Push! Loading up with overtime does not help lessen the burden or the pressure on workers and it has taken its toll.
- Reinstatement of a key worker in the organizing drive in Mobile, Ala. who was allegedly fired for fighting.
- Night Shift Premium: We are asking for a 20 cent night premium, which is common in the industry.
- Non-Union Plants: BCTGM Members who helped build this company do not want their standards undermined by the company’s non-union acquisitions.
- Standardize the starting rates at 90 percent with maximum length of 24 months. In Ft. Payne there is a 52 percent turnover rate and something needs to be done to retain workers.
- Medical & Dental Insurance: Reinstate all medical and dental benefits to workers which Earthgrains cut off illegally and prematurely.
- Hospitalization: Your negotiators told us that they did not know the cost of health care in Mobile, Ala. We want to eliminate co-pays since the wage rates in Mobile are lower. Ironically, Earthgrains wants to switch carriers but your negotiators did not know that cost either?
- Picket Line Language: Our members do not want to be required to cross a legitimately sanctioned picket line, end of story!
- Anti-Union Activity Language: The Company has refused to agree to refrain from engaging in any activity designed to seek or cause any action(s) that results in members resigning or joining the union. The fact that the Company does not want to agree to this is a true indication of Earthgrains’ bad faith.
- Wages: A 45 cent increase retroactive to the first day of the contract with an additional 50 cent increase in the second and third year of the agreement. This request is not exorbitant or out of line.
- Pension: Three $50.00 increases over the life of the contract. People work hard in this industry and deserve a good pension.
- Profits: According to your own documents and statements Earthgrains has enjoyed record profits. We are not asking for a record settlement — we are asking for a fair contract for all those great employees you used to brag about before the strike.
The Company has abandoned the Total Quality Commitment program and has reneged on cooperative efforts choosing instead to follow the beat of its own drum. One of the most positive and successful things Earthgrains had going for it was the workers’ union. In fact, you used to brag about your union workers. Lower health and safety problems and lower costs for the company are just one of the many benefits the union brought Earthgrains. This is only one example of how the company has blown it. You chose confrontation and now where does that leave us?
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By GlobalDataIn summary, Mr. Beracha, the BCTGM members on strike or honoring the picket lines are not out there for fun, for kicks, for spite, for any other reason other than to secure some DIGNITY, JUSTICE, RESPECT and a FAIR CONTRACT!
We all want to come back to work and be as dedicated and diligent as always. However, we want to come back with our heads held up high. We are honest and hard-working people who take pride in our work. We want to return to our plants knowing that our role is respected and our union is recognized as the voice for us.
