Union workers at the Zanesville New Bakery Co. of Ohio, makers of hamburger buns for Wendy's restaurants, have launched a protest against the chain for disputed contract changes, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The approximately 150 union workers have been without a contract since the spring and have asked local residents to boycott the restaurants. Workers also have picketed outside three local Wendy's stores on occasion.
From The Columbus Dispatch:
The contract changes that union members are protesting include the canceling of a pension plan that allows retired workers access to funds to pay for medical expenses, canceling employees' prescription cards, changing seniority rules and "doing away with our pension plan," (Roy Kimble, a union member and 25-year employee) said. ...The company ... said in a statement that it was "disappointed that the union is picketing in lieu of the fact that both parties had agreed to talk and that the company "continues to reach out to (the) union and employees to bargain in good faith.""The bakery has maintained a stable working environment for employees during these difficult economic times. There have been no layoffs."
Wendy's/Arby's Group, parent company of the bakery, held a town-hall style meeting with the bakery's employees Monday, including about 200 non-union employees, to answer questions about the proposed changes, according to a story in the Zanesville Times Recorder.
Union representatives said they had no prior negotiating issues with Wendy's International Inc. and are unhappy with concessions the new corporate management is demanding. No date has been set for the next round of negotiations.
