Union Seeks Expedited Federal Investigation of German Strikebreakers in Salada Tea Strike in NY

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-23-2008/0004741688&EDATE=

KENSINGTON, Md., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Frank Hurt,
President of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers
International Union (BCTGM) today released a letter to Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff requesting "an expedited investigation into
possible violations of U.S. immigration law by Redco Foods and its German
parent company, Teekanne GmbH."

Members of BCTGM Local 50 have been on strike at Redco Foods, the maker
of Salada and Red Rose tea among other brands, in Little Falls and
Herkimer, New York since November 2, 2007.

"We have reliable information that after Thanksgiving for several weeks
two German nationals were brought into the country to service machines
normally maintained by our members," Hurt wrote, adding that, "We believe
that at this moment another German national is present in the Little Falls
facility."

Explaining the union's understanding of the US tourist visa waiver
program with Germany and the requirements of a business visa, Hurt
concluded that there was likely no legal basis for the German mechanics to
be working in the United States.

The BCTGM president pointed out that Rainer Verstynen, the CEO of
Teekanne, is currently in the United States while urging the expedited
investigation. He also cited Doug Farrell, Redco Foods CEO, along with
Verstynen as the "two officials most responsible for this suspected breach
of our immigration laws."

"I trust that you share our belief that our Nation's immigration laws
should not be violated, especially to the detriment of hard working
Americans exercising their legal right to strike," Hurt told Secretary
Chertoff.

The full text of BCTGM President Hurt's letter to Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff follows.

January 23, 2008

Mr. Michael Chertoff, Secretary
The Department of Homeland Security SENT VIA FAX
Washington, DC 20528


Dear Secretary Chertoff:

I am writing to you to request an expedited investigation into possible
violations of U.S. immigration law by Redco Foods and its German parent
company, Teekanne GmbH.

Members of BCTGM Local 50 working at the Redco Foods facility in Little
Falls, New York and its warehouse in Herkimer have been on strike since
November 2, 2007. We have reliable information that after Thanksgiving, for
several weeks, two German nationals were brought into the country to
service the machines normally maintained by our striking members. Also, we
believe that at this moment another German national is present in the
Little Falls facility.

Teekanne not only is the parent of Redco, but is also the manufacturer
of the equipment used in the plant. While the United States and Germany
have a visa waiver program this allows only for the legal entry of
tourists. If these German nationals entered the country as tourists, they
have broken the law. If they applied for and received any form of business
visa from the U.S. Embassy or any of its consulates, we strongly suspect
that they did not inform our State Department that they intended to perform
struck work. Such an omission would be illegal.

The two officials most responsible for this suspected breach of our
immigration laws are Mr. Rainer Verstynen, CEO of Teekanne, and Mr. Doug
Farrell, CEO of Redco Foods, which is headquartered in Windsor,
Connecticut. Mr. Verstynen is currently in the United States and was seen
by our members on January 22nd in the presence of another person believed
to be a German national mechanic brought in to fix equipment.

I trust that you share our belief that our Nation's immigration laws
should not be violated, especially to the detriment of hard working
Americans exercising their legal right to strike. We stand ready to assist
you with further detailed information at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Frank Hurt

International President


FH:kfh



cc: Executive Officers
International Vice President Art Montminy
BCTGM Local 50 President Joyce Alston
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton
U.S. Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby
Member of Congress Michael Arcuri
U.S. Ambassador to Germany William R. Timken

[JDPriestly]

1. Union members should talk to the German strikebreakers.

Generally Germans are very supportive of unions. This goes back to the old guild tradition in Germany. In Germany, unions are organizations of workers who take great pride in their work and their experties. They have a lot of respect and power.