AUGUSTA, Mich. — Twenty workers at Knappen Milling, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 3G, went on strike here March 11. The workers, who make baking flour, are fighting for wages that keep up with sky-high prices and for safety on the job.
The union is also demanding reinstatement of a union security agreement it lost in 2012 when Michigan passed a “right to work” law. It was repealed in 2023.
On March 26, workers from BCTGM Local 57 in Cincinnati and BCTGM Local 81 in Traverse City, Michigan, drove to Augusta to support them. As the strikers and supporters picketed in front of the plant, passing drivers honked their horns, many waving and giving thumbs up.
“We had to come,” said Walter Brooks, chief steward of Local 81, who made the three-and-a-half-hour drive with two other members. “We will do anything we can to back up workers on strike.”
Ivan Caro, a miller at the plant, said millers currently make $25 per hour. “That’s way below industry standard, and most other workers make only $19 or $20 per hour,” he said. “The company only offered us a $1.60 raise over three years, but then they want to raise health insurance premiums so that’s no raise at all.”
Jacob Cusimano explained that on afternoon and night shift millers have to work alone in their building on a dangerous job. “They won’t hire people to replace those who quit or get fired and expect us to pick up the slack,” he said.
“We had to strike against these conditions,” Cusimano said. “No way we’re going back to work without a contract.”
Luke Moreland, a truck driver and warehouseman at the plant, said, “It makes so much difference when workers from other unions show up to support us.” He said workers from the nearby Kellogg’s cereal plant in Battle Creek stop by all the time.
Trevor Bidelman, BCTGM Local 3G business agent, told the Militant more than 150 workers at the Battle Creek plant voted to donate their strike fund money to the workers here. “That brings the strike pay for Knappen Milling workers up to $500 a week,” he said. “Smaller strikes are harder to sustain, and we knew we could help.”
“Our brothers needed our help, and we came because we’re in this fight together,” said Sonya Munday, BCTGM Local 57 vice president. The Cincinnati unionists work at Kellanova, Kellogg’s snack division in that city. She made the four-and-a-half-hour trip with two other members of the local. “Companies follow each other, and we need to support our fellow workers,” she said. “Our strength is in our numbers.”
BCTGM International Representative Lisa Gregory said a GoFundMe is being set up to support the strikers, “and we’re encouraging locals to come up here because the solidarity is so important. If people can send supplies, please send them to the Local 3G office, basic necessities like toiletries, dog food, everything families need. We’re at our best when we’re all standing together.”
Join the picket line at 110 S. Water St. in Augusta. Send contributions to BCTGM Local 3G, 1006 N. Raymond Road, Battle Creek, MI 49014.