The History of this Campaign...

In 2002, when workers at the Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC) plant in McComb, Ohio decided they wanted a say in the working conditions, wages and benefits that affect their lives and families, they called the BCTGM.

The majority of the more than 800 workers decided to exercise their right to form a union and signed recognition cards. But Consolidated Biscuit hired a union busting firm and started threatening workers with firings, deportations, plant closure, reduction of wages and more. In 2004, an Administrative Law judge found the threats and firings to be illegal, but the company appealed to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and then to a circuit court.

The company’s vicious, massive anti-union campaign continued.

On November 14, 2008 the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered CBC to comply with the 2004 NLRB Decision in its entirety.  This includes the reinstatement of fired union supporters Bill Lawhorn and Russ Teegardin.  The Court further ordered full back-pay for both Lawhorn and Teegardin with all lost wages to be paid, plus compounded interest. 

On December 3, 2008, after more than six years, Bill Lawhorn and Russ Teegardin, who were fired for their effort to join the BCTGM returned to work. They still await their court-ordered back pay.

Furthermore, the Board's decision mandates that the 2002 election results be set aside due to misconduct and orders a new election for CBC workers to be scheduled by the Regional Director. The date of that election has not yet been set by the NLRB.

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The Official Timeline...

Use the links below to learn more about the history of this campaign...one year at a time.

2002 -- 2003 -- 2004 -- 2005 -- 2006 -- 2007 -- 2008 -- 2009