ABOVE: Union spokesperson Pat Overlander, from Local No 1 Grain Millers, poses with strikers along Washington Street in Hoopeston on Wednesday morning, July 30th.
It was on June 1st that about 60 Local No 1 Grain Millers members went on strike in Hoopeston against Teasdale Latin Foods. Now, at the two month mark, the strike continues; with Teasdale informing the union that as of July 23rd, hired replacement workers have become permanent.
Initially, much of the strike was over working hours and shifts. But the union says that on July 11th they proposed to Teasdale what union president Don Woods calls “a modified economic proposal.” Soon after, the company rejected it.
Speaking again with union spokesperson Pat Overlander, Wednesday (July 30th) morning at the workers’ strike home base on Washington Street; CIMG was told by Overlander that the union agreed to management’s proposed raises and working hours. But Overlander also stated that the company’s lower pay scale and management rights demands were unacceptable. He explained the management rights problem.
AUDIO: They want the right to contract and sub-contract bargaining unit workouts. Unions will never accept that.
Overlander says Teasdale also wanted newly hired workers to be receiving lower pay, and current employees bidding on another job to receive a lower rate as well. Overlander also stated that when management said workers had until noon July 23rd to return to work, there was no guarantee their old jobs would be available. Instead, they would receive whatever was open, after the arrival of replacement workers.
AUDIO: And they’ll place us in there, it didn’t say at our regular jobs; but whatever’s available.
Union president Don Woods told CIMG that Local No 1’s next step is going to be telling those who are customers of Teasdale Latin Foods that the product they are purchasing is unsatisfactory. Woods says, according to what he’s heard, sometimes it has to be thrown out.
AUDIO: The individuals, the people who are producing the product; are not skilled. It’s not skilled workers. They need to know that. It’s my understanding that there’s been a lot of product thrown in the dumpster, because it’s not marketable. They can’t put it on the market.
Woods says the Teasdale strikers are determined to hold out until the very end. CIMG has placed a call to Teasdale Latin Foods.
TEASDALE RESPONSE; received 8-1-2025:
At Teasdale, quality is our top priority. All of our manufacturing facilities, including Hoopeston, IL
are SQF Certified, demonstrating Teasdale’s commitment to delivering safe, high quality
products to our customers and consumers.
This certification is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is highly valued
by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers worldwide. Teasdale has maintained this
certification for decades, and we will continue to do so.
Our operations are built to identify and remove substandard items before they reach customers.
Any such product is disposed of in the same manner. We take pride in delivering safe,
consistent, and premium products, and we honor the trust our customers place in us.
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Teasdale Latin Foods is the leader in the manufacturing and marketing of a full line of Mexican
and Latino – inspired foods. We take great care in delivering the highest quality foods that
consistently help customers grow.
