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Local union files federal charges against Wendy's bakery
December 10, 2009
The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 57 in Zanesville, Ohio, has filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against New Bakery Co. of Ohio, which makes bread products for Wendy's restaurants. The local union, which includes 150 members who are employed at Wendy's New Bakery, charge that the company has illegally implemented the terms of a proposed new contract at the bakery.
The union members have been working under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that expired in March of this year. The last offer made by the company eliminates the workers' pension and cuts their health care coverage.
Local 57 said in a statement:
It is illegal to implement changes to wages, benefits and working conditions without reaching an impasse in contract negotiations. Additional unfair labor practices charges have been filed by the union concerning the plant manager's efforts to intimidate workers through surveillance of union activity, as well as specific efforts by management to circumvent the union by bargaining directly with individual employees.According to BCTGM International representative John Price, who has assisted the local union with negotiations, an impasse has not been reached. New dates for contract negotiations had been offered and exchanged by both parties prior to the illegal implementation of the company's last offer.Negotiators for Wendy's/Arby's Group have demanded concessions that would render the union contract virtually meaningless. Those concessions include the elimination of a decent health care coverage plan, replacing it with a substandard plan that is unacceptable. The company also is demanding the elimination of the defined benefit pension plan which, if imposed, would destroy the security of New Bakery workers in their retirement.
QSRweb.com has previously reported that the bakery's union employees have held protests outside Zanesville Wendy's restaurants. Wendy's/Arby's Group representatives also have held town hall-style meetings at the plant to answer questions about the contract.
Wendy's/Arby's Group did not respond to a request for a statement.
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