The BCTGM Voices Project

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: 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: Resources from this episode: 4 Ways to Support the IFF StrikeIFF Strike Facebook Page

Workers give their take on the issues at play in the #IFFStrike. We hear from: Resources from this episode: 3 Ways to Support the IFF StrikeIFF Strike Facebook Page

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

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 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:

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: Resources from this episode (PDF): 5 Ways to Support the #KelloggStrikeSocial Media Flyer#KelloggStrike Fact SheetPicket/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 #KelloggStrikeSocial Media Flyer#KelloggStrike Fact SheetPicket/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:

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: Follow their Facebook Page: Nabisco Workers Unite Check the Label! Download an Action Flyer