Workers at bun bakery sue Wendy's

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/12/12/union_brief.ART_ART_12-12-09_A8_TUFV55U.html?sid=101

Saturday, December 12, 2009 3:10 AM

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The union that represents workers who make hamburger buns for Wendy's has filed charges atainst the company with the National Labor Relations Board, saying that it illegally implemented the terms of a proposed new contract at its bakery.

The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union Local 57 represents about 150 employees who have been working without a contract since April at the New Bakery Company of Ohio in Zanesville.

The union says it is illegal to make changes to wages, benefits and working conditions without first reaching an impasse in contract negotiations. Workers have been protesting contract changes-- involving pension, seniority and benefits issues -- since November.

Sam McLaughlin, general manager for New Bakery, said in a statement that the company had worked to no avail to come to an agreement on a new contract.

He said the company leaders believed that they had reached an impasse and that "the company was implementing its last, best offer in order to preserve the employees' ability to enroll in the company's health plan for 2010."

New Bakery is a subsidiary of Wendy's/Arby's Group, based in Atlanta.

-- Tracy Turner

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