AFL-CIO Endorses Bakery Workers' Boycott of Mexican-made Nabisco Products

KENSINGTON, Md., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union ("BCTGM") - which represents nearly 4,000 members at Mondelēz International, maker of Nabisco snack products - announced that the national AFL-CIO has officially endorsed its nationwide consumer boycott of Nabisco snack products made in Mexico. The "Check the Label" campaign was launched to stop Nabisco/Mondelēz from continuing to outsource jobs, by urging American consumers to reject Mexican-made Nabisco products and, instead, buy those that are produced in America in support of middle-class American jobs. The AFL-CIO's endorsement is a watershed moment in BCTGM's boycott movement, as it adds 12.5 million members in 56 affiliated national and international unions, as well as their families and their local and extended communities across the United States and the globe.

David B. Durkee, BCTGM's International President, stated, "BCTGM is proud to have the support of our 12.5 million Brothers and Sisters of the AFL-CIO who share our profound dismay that Nabisco/Mondelēz is asking American workers to give up 60% of their wages and benefits - amounting to $46 million per year in perpetuity - or have their jobs shipped to Mexico. The AFL-CIO's backing sends the strongest signal yet that American workers and consumers will not stand idly by while Americans lose their jobs.  Most immediately, we believe that the endorsement lends substantial and sustainable support to our "Check the Label" campaign, aimed at supporting American jobs by ensuring consumers' favorite Nabisco products are produced in America before purchasing." 

BCTGM launched the "Check the Label" campaign after Nabisco/Mondelēz closed numerous U.S. production facilities, costing many hundreds of American jobs, while at the same time expanding production in its facilities in Monterrey and Salinas, Mexico, where pay is so low that the minimum wage is measured by the day, not the hour. BCTGM is sending teams of the laid-off workers around the country, focusing on large urban areas, to enhance support for the boycott and continue to expand its coalition.

The National contract between Mondelēz International and over 2,000 of its 4,000 workers represented by the BCTGM, expired on February 29, 2016. BCTGM continues to be resolute in its commitment to securing a quality contract for its members – one that is in the very best interests of all members and their families today and into the future.

The full text of the AFL-CIO endorsement includes the following:

The AFL-CIO has approved your request to include Mondelēz International on the list of AFL-CIO national boycotts. Specifically, the boycott will apply to all Mondelēz International snack food products that are labeled "Made in Mexico," including Oreos, Newtons, Chips Ahoy, Honey Grahams, Animal Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Premium, Belvita, Lorna Doane, Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid, and Wheat Thins. In accordance with the policy on boycott endorsements adopted by the AFL-CIO Executive Council, the federation will maintain the "Made in Mexico" snack products of Mondelēz International on its published boycott list for up to one year from the date of endorsement unless your union requests an earlier termination of the listing. At the end of the year, you may request to have the company included on the list for another 12 months.

The AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department will post this product line to the list on their websites and Union Label Letter publication.

For more information about the "Check the Label" campaign, please watch this informational video.

To learn more about the announced job losses in Chicago and contract negotiations, please visit www.FightForAmericanJobs.org; for more about the BCTGM, please visit www.BCTGM.org.

Contacts:
Ron Baker, BCTGM Strategic Campaign Coordinator 
(703) 508-2637
[email protected] 

Jeana Foxman, Perry Street Communications 
(214) 965-9955
[email protected]

SOURCE Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union

Related Links

http://www.BCTGM.org