——— Forwarded message ———-
From: Jobs with Justice National <jwjnational@jwj.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Subject: Stop Factory Closing in the Bronx!
To: Jason Gooljar

Snack-maker Lance, Inc., has announced its intention to buy the 78-year-old Stella D'oro Biscuit Company and move production from its historic home.

Tell Lance to keep Stella D'oro production in the Bronx!

In July 2009, 136 Stella D'oro workers, members of the Bakery, Tobacco, Confectionary, and Grain Millers Local 50 returned to work after an 11-month strike to maintain family-supporting wages and health care.

On the day they returned, Brynwood Parters, the private equity firm that currently owns the 78-year-old Stella D'oro brand, announced their intention to shutter the plant in 90 days.

On September 8, Brynwood announced that it had reached a deal to sell Stella D'oro to Lance, Inc., a North Carolina-based food manufacturer that owns numerous other brands such as Archway cookies.  The deal will not be finalized until October.  Please act now to save good jobs!

P.S.  If you are a union member or officer, please consider passing a resolution in support of Stella D’oro workers.  Contact joehill100@verizon.net for samples and more information.

What's At Stake:

On August 13, 2008, 136 members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50, employed at the historic Stella D'Oro plant in the Bronx, went on strike to defend their family-supporting wages and benefits.

Stella D'oro's owner, CT-based private equity firm Brynwood Partners, was demanding wage cuts of up to 25% and unaffordable health care premium increases, among other concessions.  Workers and community allies waged a brave 11-month strike to resist these demands.

In July 2009, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Stella D'oro had bargained in bad faith and ordered the strikers returned to work with back pay!  On the day workers returned to their jobs, Brynnwood Partners announced its intention to shutter the plant in 90 days.  In September, they announced they would sell Stella D’Oro brand, inventory, and some machinery to NC-base snack-maker Lance, Inc.  Lance said it would move production from the Bronx to a non-union facility.

The Stella D'Oro Biscuit Co. has been in the Bronx since the 1930s.  BCTGM Local 50 has represented the workers at the Bronx plant since the early 1960's, and has helped build Stella D'Oro into an American icon. Its workers are a cross-section of the vibrant communities of the Bronx.

Stella D'Oro workers enjoy broad support in NY for their cause.  A vibrant support committee of neighborhood residents, union allies, and local community institutions has mobilized with workers since their strike began.  The NY City Council passed a resolution supporting the workers and the NY Daily News has published numerous editorials in support of their cause.  See below for news clips and additional information.

Posted via email from Jason’s posterous