Kellogg's workers on STRIKE!
The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM) Local-3 workers strike at Kellogg's cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan.
“They’ve got the Kellogg’s jet, and fancy cars, but I’m the problem.”
-BCTGM striking worker
In four states, Kelloggs’s cereal plant workers are striking to “protect future generations of workers,” Todd Manusos told me Monday afternoon on the picket line outside of the Battle Creek Michigan plant. The contract between the BCTGM local-3 union and Kellogg’s expired on October 5. Kellogg’s new contract offer would take away holiday pay, cut healthcare benefits, and remove pension plans, but not for all the workers on strike, but for the next generation of Kellogg’s workers.
Kellogg’s created “transitional” workers in 2015. These workers would take up the same jobs as regular workers but for 13 dollars less per hour. Transitional workers were supposed to be granted “legacy employment.” Once someone becomes a legacy employee, then they can receive full benefits and a pension plan. The transitional workers never saw the path to full-time, “legacy” employment. On top of transitional workers not receiving a pension plan and being paid 13 dollars less per hour, they are responsible for paying for their own health care.
“We did not miss a day of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This two-tier wage system is a slap in the face for our new and young brothers and sisters,” One striking worker told me. They explained that many are being forced to work 7-days a week and, in some cases, 120 days in a row.
“Kellogg’s has money coming out of their ears.”
-Todd Manusos 24 years at Kellogg’s
For the time being, Kellogg’s is hiring scab workers to keep the plant running. Striking workers fear that these temporary newcomers will compromise the integrity of the product. Training the scabs is also a concern among BCTGM union workers. I talked to a striking worker who is a part of the training team in the cereal plant. She told me that there are jobs in the plant that take years to learn. “Calling in scab workers to do what we do is incredibly dangerous” “We have caught them in the yard without their vests on, or too close to the edge of the roof. In this job, you need more than two weeks to train.”
Coincidentally while I was talking to the ladies striking in front of the railroad tracks where the plant receives train cars full of sugar, a private security detail escorted a semi-truck of scab workers. There was speculation as to what was in the semi-trailer. Some workers alleged there were people in the back of the trailer. Others told me it was most likely supplies.
Overall morale is high at the Battle Creek Kellogg’s plant. All of the workers were on the same page, saying they are willing to fight a day longer than Kellogg’s is. BCTGM workers are asking the public to spread the word and their message, and next time you’re at the grocery store, maybe skip the frosted flakes until they get what they deserve.