In new letter to Mondelēz International, operators of Nabisco, Georgia lawmakers urged the negotiation of a fair contract for BCTGM workers across country, including in Norcross, GA
Workers across country, including Local 42 Chapter of Norcross, have been on strike since August
Lawmakers: “We write to urge Mondelēz International, Inc. to negotiate a fair contract with the more than 1,000 Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers’ International (BCTGM) workers across the country, and specifically those from Local Chapter 42 in Atlanta, Georgia who work in the Nabisco distribution center in Norcross, Georgia.”
ICYMI: Nabisco strike, the first in 52 years, expands to five states – Read more on CBS
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) urged Mondelēz International, Inc. to negotiate a fair contract that will result in equitable solutions for their more than 1,000 Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers’ International (BCTGM) workers in Atlanta and across the country. These workers have been on strike following the expiration of their union contracts resulting in changes in their work hours, pay, and more. The labor strikes, one of the first in decades, have expanded across five states, including Georgia, altering the production of Nabisco snacks like Chips Ahoy!, Belvita, Oreo cookies, Ritz Crackers, Teddy Grahams, Triscuit crackers, Fig Newtons, and Wheat Thins.
“Despite massive challenges and safety concerns, workers at the Norcross facility did exemplary work to meet the growing demands of Mondelēz and its customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Many workers, for example, report taking on 16-hour shifts each week to meet the high work demands. In the second quarter of 2021, Mondelēz generated more than $1.1 billion in net profits, and we believe strongly that Mondelēz’s workers should share in that prosperity that they helped to generate for the company,” wrote the lawmakers.
The lawmakers continued, “Following the expiration of their union contracts in May 2021, more than 1,000 Mondelēz workers across the country have gone on strike, protesting proposed changes to their work schedules. Mondelēz’s workers in Norcross have particularly raised concerns regarding new provisions pertaining to overtime pay. This ongoing uncertainty has a significant cost for both Mondelēz and its workers, and every day that passes without resolution deepens this burden for all parties.”
The lawmakers made clear in the letter that while they are encouraged by the recent developments in negotiations, they want to continue urging the parties toward good faith negotiations that result in a contract that ensures long-term stability, resiliency, and success for all workers, which will have mutual economic prosperity for Mondelēz and the Nabisco distribution center in Norcross.
See the full text of the letter aquí and below.
Dear Mr. Van de Put:
We write to urge Mondelēz International, Inc. (“Mondelēz”) to negotiate a fair contract with the more than 1,000 Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers’ International (BCTGM) workers across the country, and specifically those from Local Chapter 42 in Atlanta, Georgia who work in the Nabisco distribution center in Norcross, Georgia.
As you are aware, last month, BCTGM Local 42 joined BCTGM workers across the country in a strike at the Norcross, Georgia Nabisco distribution center, which is owned and operated by Mondelēz. These workers have expressed a number of concerns, and to date, despite ongoing discussions, the workers do not believe their concerns have been resolved.
Despite massive challenges and safety concerns, workers at the Norcross facility did exemplary work to meet the growing demands of Mondelēz and its customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Many workers, for example, report taking on 16-hour shifts each week to meet the high work demands. In the second quarter of 2021, Mondelēz generated more than $1.1 billion in net profits, and we believe strongly that Mondelēz’s workers should share in that prosperity that they helped to generate for the company.
Following the expiration of their union contracts in May 2021, more than 1,000 Mondelēz workers across the country have gone on strike, protesting proposed changes to their work schedules. Mondelēz’s workers in Norcross have particularly raised concerns regarding new provisions pertaining to overtime pay. This ongoing uncertainty has a significant cost for both Mondelēz and its workers, and every day that passes without resolution deepens this burden for all parties.
Mondelēz first opened their factory in the region decades ago, with generations of Georgians walking through their facility’s doors to good-paying union jobs. These positions allowed Georgia’s families and communities to thrive. Still, American companies must continue to invest in their workforces and their communities to ensure long-term stability, resiliency, and success. We understand that contract negotiations have started this week, and we encourage the company to negotiate in good faith. It is our sincere hope that parties can negotiate a workable contract, which results in a settlement that treats Mondelēz workers fairly and equitably.
We believe in the dignity of work. As such, we are confident that if negotiations take place in good faith, a resolution is possible that will preserve the dignity of work for Mondelēz’s workers, ensure economic prosperity for Mondelēz and the Nabisco distribution center in Norcross, and resolve this ongoing dispute that is creating a strain on the Norcross community.
We are encouraged by the recent developments that resulted in a tentative agreement. And we sincerely hope Mondelēz continues to work efficiently and bargain with workers to reach an agreement that will provide current and future employees fair work hours and wages, provide competitive benefits, and eliminate barriers to employment opportunities.
Sincerely,
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