Rush Supports Mondelēz Workers in Fight to Keep Their Jobs in Chicago Plant

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) lent his voice to the fight of the Mondelēz workers who stand to lose their jobs as a result of the company's decision to shut down several production lines at their bakery facility located in the 1st Congressional District. Mondelēz announced its intention to lay off 600 employees, and move the production to Salinas, Mexico to save money.

Rush recently spoke with representatives of The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union and shared his position in a videotaped recording. This union represents the plant's employees and is leading the workers' campaign to keep the jobs in the Chicago bakery.

"For more than 60 years, hardworking men & women, many of whom live in my district, have made cookies and crackers enjoyed by people in Chicago and across the country. Cookies and crackers as American as apple pie, with names like Oreo and Ritz Crackers, have been produced and enjoyed," said Rush. "Now, the plan is to send these jobs to Mexico and then ship the products produced there back to the U.S. for sale in the very communities where they laid off American workers. This is insulting and shows a total disregard for my constituents."

The economic reach of these layoffs is far-reaching, affecting the individual, their families, their community, our city and nation. Individuals are left with no employment or benefits; economically devastating the community in which the plant is located; and undermining the future of the families affected.

"Last summer, after learning about the potential loss of jobs at the Mondelēz facility, I brought executives of the company to my office to urge them to keep their investment in Chicago and maintain these good-paying jobs at this facility. I regret their decision not to do so."

"Free trade agreements have shown time and time again that good-paying manufacturing jobs are being shipped abroad. Even now, 21 years after the passage of NAFTA, we are still seeing its impacts on American manufacturing."

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