Sánchez joins AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, BCTGM Local 37 workers on picket line

WASHINGTON – On Saturday, U.S. Representative Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) joined AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, LA FED President Ron Herrera, and other local leaders to stand in solidarity with Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union Local 37 at the Jon Donaire Desserts plant in Santa Fe Springs, California.

Since November 3, 2021, more than 100 BCTGM International Union Local 37 workers at Jon Donaire, have been on strike demanding fair working conditions, livable wages, and high-quality health care benefits.

"Rich Products made over $4 billion in revenue last year while these workers kept production moving during a pandemic. They deserve to have their calls for respect in the workplace, livable wages, and high-quality benefits heard," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "That is why I'm here today with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, LA FED President Ron Herrera, and so many others. We will be standing with these workers until Rich Corporations comes to the table and engages in good faith negotiations."

In January, Congresswoman Sánchez led 23 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Robert E. Rich Jr., Chairman of Rich Products Corporation, strongly urging his company to engage in good faith conversations and reach an agreement with the striking workers.

You can view the full letter and list of co-signers here. The letter reads:

Dear Mr. Rich,

We write to you today regarding the contract negotiations between the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union Local 37 at the Jon Donaire Desserts plant in Santa Fe Springs, California. We strongly urge you to engage in good faith conversations and reach an agreement as soon as possible.

The more than 100 union workers at Jon Donaire, who make cakes for Baskin Robbins, Safeway, and Cold Stone Creamery, have been on strike since November 3, 2021. Most of these workers are Latina women who are on strike – many with their children. We are concerned about the duration of the strike and the detrimental impact failure to reach an agreement continues to have.

As others have noted, Rich Products made over $4 billion in revenue last year because your employees worked throughout the pandemic to keep production moving. Currently, workers in Santa Fe Springs report an average wage of $17 an hour. In comparison, workers at Rich Products' facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee make, on average, $6 more per hour than those in Los Angeles. Given the high cost of living in Los Angeles, MIT calculates that an adult must make at least $19.35 an hour to support oneself, and more if they have children.

We strongly urge you to continue to negotiate in good faith to achieve a reasonable bargaining agreement in this matter. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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