Stella D’Oro workers say, ‘We will not be moved’

Chanting, “Whose factory? Our factory!” a strong contingent of Stella D’Oro workers and hundreds of supporters transformed the annual New York City Labor Day celebration on Sept. 12 into a militant march. “Keep Stella D’Oro in the Bronx!” resonated with thousands of parading working-class rank-and-file union members. Wave upon wave of workers chanted and raised fists in solidarity as they passed by the Stella D’Oro contingent, which stopped at 70th Street and Fifth Avenue. Spirits were lifted.

Union worker cheers in solidarity as she marches past the stella d’oro contingent at New York Labor Day Parade, Sept. 12. WW photo: Mike Eilenfeldt

Stella D’Oro workers marched with two huge red banners from Guatemala, created in tribute to their struggle. They were joined by the Stella D’Oro Support Committee, the Bail Out the People Movement, the May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights, Domestic Workers United, workers from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 and members of the Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York, including PSC President Barbara Bowen. The PSC collected signatures on a petition to New York City Mayor Bloomberg. Leaflets announcing a national March for Jobs on Sept. 20 in Pittsburgh were distributed.

Sara Rodriguez led the Stella D’Oro delegation with the chant, “¡Obreros unidos jamás serán vencidos!” (The workers united will never be defeated.) She told Workers World: “We still have faith. We’re here today to keep fighting. We deserve to have a better life.”

Predictions of rain failed to dampen the momentum gathering behind the seasoned members of Bakery Workers union Local 50. Their successful 11-month strike against Brynwood Partners—a predatory, profit-driven, racist vulture—forged 136 Stella D’Oro sisters and brothers into a spearhead of fightback to keep the plant in the Bronx.

On July 1, Administrative Law Judge Steven Davis of the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Brynwood had committed unfair labor practices against Local 50 and ordered it to reinstate the workers with back pay and bargain with the union under their previous contract. Brynwood illegally ignored the ruling and began proceedings to close the plant or sell it and move it out of the Bronx.

Local 50 responded by seeking an injunction to stop the sale. Under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act, a petition for injunctive relief is appropriate and should be promptly acted upon when irreparable harm is imposed on the union. Yet the NLRB Litigation Branch has not acted on the petition, which was filed two months ago by the union.

On Sept. 8, days before the parade, Lance Inc., a nonunion snack producer based in Charlotte, N.C., announced that they would buy Stella D’Oro—stealing the company’s legendary name—dismantle the Bronx plant and move some of the equipment to Ashland, Ohio. North Carolina is a so-called “right-to-work,” meaning anti-union, state.

The city of New York has a stake as to whether Brynwood can move the plant out of the Bronx. In 2006, when Brynwood bought the plant, the city granted this private equity vulture more than a million dollars to buy new machinery and equipment to keep them in the city. Brynwood also inherited $9 million in tax relief from Kraft Corp., the previous owners.

Furthermore, the Stella D’Oro workers are the principal creditors. The equity from their labor, pensions, severance and back pay entitles them to decide the future of the company. That plant belongs to the Stella D’Oro workers and the New York City taxpayers.

What an outrage! Corporate criminals in Connecticut plan to strip out the guts of a 75-year-old Bronx institution, wreaking havoc on the lives of hundreds of human beings in our community. Strike leader in the 11-month victory, George Kahsaay, reflected that mood when he said, “We made Stella D’Oro.” Thrilling exchanges between chanting Stella D’Oro workers and the many thousands of union sisters and brothers parading past them continued for hours until Oscar Hernandez, one of the main leaders during the strike, was the last one remaining. He held a placard which read, “Keep Stella D’Oro in the Bronx.”

A radio reporter cynically asked Mike Filippou, Local 50 Executive Committee member, strike leader and main spokesperson, what kind of work he will be looking for. Filipou responded: “My job is here. I’m gonna stay here. I’m gonna fight.”

A victory for Stella D’Oro will be a victory for all workers.

Eilenfeldt is a member of the Bail Out the People Movement and a New York Central Labor Council delegate.