With Interstate Bakeries in Bankruptcy, Union Aims to Protect Members (9/19/07)

Interstate Bakeries Corp., the Kansas City-based company that produces brands like Wonder and Hostess, is fighting through Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Hundreds of RWDSU members are employed by the company in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Michigan and Alabama. Interstate Bakeries has been forced to close several plants, bakeries, and retail stores during the reorganization.

The RWDSU locals involved have been keeping a close watch on the situation, and all are working on three-month contract extensions with the company.

"The RWDSU, Local 1050, and the directly affiliated members of the Southeast Council with contracts in Winston-Salem, NC, and Florence, SC, are tracking the progress of the reorganization and preparing for talks with the company. We are extending our current contract with Interstate every three months, and the company has been paying all annual increases to the health care plan," said RWDSU Representative Terry Jaremko.

In Michigan, Local 386 members are sticking together and even adding members.

"Despite the company's bankruptcy situation, the RWDSU has been successful in organizing some new retail shops in the area," said Ken Brown, Local 386 president. "We will be working with the other RWDSU locals involved with Interstate to best represent workers in this matter."

In Alabama, Local 441 represents members at Interstate. The members there are standing strong and preparing for the eventual negotiations with the company.

"Now more than ever we need members at the Interstate Brands shops to stick together, and for everyone at the plants to join the union so we can be at our best when we need to be," said Alabama and Mid-South Council President Henry Jenkins.