HOOPESTON, Ill. — Members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 1 have been on strike at Teasdale Latin Foods cannery here since June 1, fighting company moves to reimpose a two-tier pay scale and change work schedules from four to five days a week. They can and pack a variety of beans.
The Teamsters, which organizes the workers who deliver the products, continues to pick up employee contributions to strikers’ health insurance. According to Juan “Chico” Lugo, a picket captain, about “80% of them are not showing up for work” while the strike is on, while their union covers their wages.
But the strikers still face growing challenges. Household bills are mounting and many have been forced to seek other employment during the strike.
A week and a half after the strike started, the company announced it would begin hiring “permanent replacement employees.” Ads continue to run for electricians and machine operators.
Donna Strawser, a striker with nine years seniority at the plant, told this Militant correspondent of the spirited support they get from people in the area. A pizza place gives them free pizza once a week, and a food pantry is collecting donations for them. She told us about a boy who persuaded his father to bring him to the picket line so he could give all the strikers a popsicle.
Send messages and contributions to BCTGM Local 1, 7310 39th St., Lyons, IL 606534.