Dannon Workers Unionize in OH with International Support

*This blog entry is part of our week-long response to the World Social Forum's Global Week of Action (January 21-26, 2008).  Our theme for all blog entries this week is: "Another World is Possible: International Labor Solidarity Success Stories."  If you would like to contribute, contact Tim at tim.newman[at]ilrf.org!*

By Paul Garver, former organizer with IUF

In December of 2007, workers at Danone's Minster, Ohio yogurt plant successfully unionized.

This success was assisted by international support from other unions representing Danone workers worldwide through the IUF. It presents an unusual case of an U.S. union using  grassroots organizing tactics together with a carefully pre-planned and coordinated demonstration of international union solidarity. This combination was able to deter the severe violations of worker rights that take place in most private sector organizing drives in the USA.  Keep reading for the full story!
 

More than 300 workers at the Dannon yogurt plant here have become members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) following a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election that concluded yesterday.

An overwhelming majority  of workers voted on December 5 and 6 to become members of the BCTGM.

"These workers are to be commended for standing strong in their efforts to become unionized," notes BCTGM International President Frank Hurt. "While this organizing victory was the culmination of efforts on many different fronts, it all came down to the strength of the workers," Hurt adds.

The Dannon workers first reached out to the BCTGM through the union's online organizing contact form in early January. A group of workers met with BCTGM International Representative John Price in late January to discuss their desire to become unionized.

"The workers primary issues concerned health and safety, retirement and job consistency and stability" recalls Price. "But what it always comes down to is the dignity, justice and respect of workers."

The Dannon Company Inc. is a subsidiary of France-based Groupe Danone, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. Groupe Danone is the world's leading producer of fresh dairy products, the second largest producer of biscuits and cereal products and a leading producer of bottled water. In the United States, Dannon has yogurt manufacturing facilities in Minster, West Jordan, Utah, Fort Worth, Texas, and Londonderry, New Hampshire.      

According to Price, the BCTGM's affiliation with the global International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF), played a large part in the organizing effort. The majority of Danone's worldwide operations are unionized and the IUF has a formal relationship with Groupe Danone dating back to 1986.

The IUF reached out to unions in Europe and Asia that represent Danone workers to inform them of the organizing efforts in Ohio. Upon learning of the Dannon workers' desire to join a union, Danone unions from around the world began sending letters of solidarity to the Minster workers. Letters were received from Belgium, Russia, Germany and other countries.    

"Within this global economy, this  was an overwhelming show of global solidarity," concludes Hurt.