Striking bakers won’t back down
Stella D’oro strikers need your support
Lee Cutler addresses the crowd. Photo by Micah Landau.
With the #1 IRT subway line rumbling overhead, NYSUT members, community supporters and striking Stella D'oro workers made a mighty noise outside the Bronx factory at a huge support rally.
Led by NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Lee Cutler, Professional Staff Congress President Barbara Bowen and dozens of local leaders from the Hudson Valley and New York City labor movements gave a boost to the 135 striking bakers as their strike enters its ninth month.
Cutler presented leaders of Local 50 of the Bakery Workers union with a $2,500 check for their strike fund.
Established 75 years ago, Stella D'oro is a nationally known maker of specialty baked goods. Last year, it was bought by Brynwood Partners, a wealthy private equity investment firm specializing in corporate takeovers.
Brynwood presented sweeping, negative demands at the table:
- A 25 percent pay cut;
- An end to Saturday overtime;
- Eliminating four holidays and all 12 sick days.
After fruitless talks, the workers were forced into a strike in mid-August.
The strike is a focal point of labor activity in New York City. Bowen, whose union represents faculty and professional staff at the City University of New York, has walked their picket line before, and PSC members are leading strike support activities.
At NYSUT's recent convention, Bowen introduced a resolution, which passed unanimously, supporting the strikers and calling for a boycott of Stella D'oro products.
Besides the PSC efforts, members of the United Federation of Teachers are spreading the word about the boycott and providing aid to the strikers.
In addition to the solid support they have received, the strikers have maintained a 100 percent record of no union members crossing the picket line.
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What you can do
NYSUT members have a role to play in this effort. Strike supporters are asking that no one buy Stella D'oro products, which are being made by strikebreakers and managers. Plummeting sales will increase pressure on the company to settle.
NYSUT locals are also encouraged to send donations to the workers' local union to help ensure they are able to make it through this struggle.
• Checks should be made out to: "BCTGM Local 50 Strike Fund"; write "Stella D'oro Strike" on the memo line.
• Send to: BCTGM Local 50, 145 Talmadge Road, Suite 17, Edison, NJ 08817.