Stella D'Oro strike against takebacks

New York--Stella D'Oro, an Italian biscuit company, was started as a family business in 1932. The workers were unionized in the 1950s by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco & Grain Millers' Union, Local 50. Stella D'Oro was sold three times. The present owners are Brynwood Partners, which provoked a strike when they called for a 25% wage cut and increased health premiums, and ended pay for holidays, vacations and sick days, no extra pay for Saturdays and reduced pensions. The owners claimed they were losing money, but refused to open their books.

Workers organized a picket last Aug. 13, expecting a short strike. As the economy worsened, the owners found it easy to hire scabs and the strike has dragged on for seven months. The strikers remained united and called for a boycott of Stella D'Oro products. The union has called on the NLRB to rule on Brynwood's refusal to negotiate in good faith.  Meanwhile the strikers are surviving on unemployment compensation.

Community activists have organized a support committee which has weekly meetings to discuss leafleting in front of stores, press conferences, rallies and raising money. Unions such as the PSC, UFT, SEIU, and the TWU are supporting the strike.

Companies are using the economic crisis as an opportunity to break unions. The New York City Central Labor Council must increase their support of the strikers and mobilize its membership to participate in the picket, rallies and boycott. Any bailout that leaves labor out will only lengthen and worsen the economic crisis.

•

New York--Close to 200 people came to a benefit in support of striking Stella D'Oro workers--Una Fiesta en Apoyo de los Huelgistas del Stella D'Oro. After a medley of labor songs, in English and Spanish, sung by the New York Labor Chorus, and a solidarity message from a French CGT union member, two strikers spoke:

Mike Filippo: We started with 135 families on strike, but thanks to our supporters we are now 300 or more. We have received support from all over the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Brynwood Partners, the new bosses, wanted to slash 25% of our earnings, take $1.00 per hour for five years for healthcare; they wanted to take our sick days, half our holidays, and more. We decided to fight to the end and become an example for workers everywhere--ˇSí se puede!

Sarah Rodriguez: Thanks to our Support Committee, which helps us every day. I have met so many people who encourage us to keep fighting for our rights. I am learning so much from this strike--the first I have been through--and I feel like you are part of my family.

Judy Gonzales, of the Support Committee, told us that not one worker has crossed the picket line. "It takes a city to support a strike. There is a lot more to be done--we need your ideas, money, and help." Visit www.stelladorostrike2008.com; or call: (917) 497-4231.

Home l News & Letters Newspaper l Back issues l News and Letters Committees l Raya Dunayevskaya l Contact us l Search l RSS

Subscribe to News & Letters

Published by News and Letters Committees