The BCTGM has organized and bargained high quality collective agreements for thousands of North American manufacturing, production, maintenance and sanitation workers in the bakery, confectionery, tobacco and grain milling industries. We have also organized and bargained first union contracts for workers in the dairy industry. For more than 125 years, the BCTGM has fought to improve the standard of living and quality of life for our members, their families and all working people in North America. That tradition has continued in recent years, despite a recession, rising healthcare costs and staggering unemployment numbers. Organizing is the most important way to raise the working and living standards of all workers. Union workers earn 30 percent more money than non-union workers, and 44 percent more when including the total compensation of health and welfare benefits. BCTGM Local Unions have been very successful in negotiating contracts that have benefited the membership, while allowing employers to remain competitive. The BCTGM has always believed that bargaining can be a win-win situation: a well-compensated, healthy workforce equals higher productivity, less turnover and higher quality. The union advantage is clear. Organizing more workers will strengthen our union and our contracts, and our communities with good jobs. United, we are a powerful voice for justice at work. Together, we can protect the good jobs that workers need to achieve the American dream. 

  If you have questions about what it means to be a member of the BCTGM, please contact the Local 24 Union Office at 650-364-0990 

You have the legal right under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to join or support a union and to:

Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.

Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)

Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job. Sign a union card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.

Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues
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Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union cards or petitions, or to file grievances. Protection from Employer Action

 Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity.
 
For example, an employer cannot legally do the following:

Threaten to or actually fire, lay off, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they support the union.

Favor employees who don’t support the union over those who do by granting special promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working condition.
 
Shut down the plant or work site or take away any benefits or privileges employees already have in order to discourage union activity.

Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union.

Enforcing your Rights
 
Some employers try to prevent the workers from joining a union. The best way to encourage your employer to recognize the union and negotiate a fair contract is to build strong union support at your workplace. If your employer violates the law, the union can help you file “unfair labor practice” charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  The Labor Board has the power to order an employer to stop interfering with employee rights, to provide back pay, and to reverse any action taken against workers for union activity.

You can help protect your legal rights by:
 
Keeping written notes of any incidents in which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish workers because of union activity.

Immediately reporting any such incidents to your organizing committee and the union staff Your report should include what was said or done, who was involved, where and when it happened, and the names of any witnesses.