Bimbo Bakeries workers on Long Island, in NYC ratify 6-year contract with wage hikes of up to 40%

Nearly 200 union workers at Bimbo Bakeries across Long Island and Queens have ratified a new agreement that guarantees wage increases of up to 40% over the next six years.

Bimbo Bakeries USA is part of international Grupo Bimbo, with operations in 39 countries. The company encompasses S.B. Thomas of English muffins fame and the popular baked goods company Entenmann’s, which operated a plant in Bay Shore until 2014. 

The six-year collective bargaining agreement negotiated by Teamsters Local 802 for workers based in Bay Shore and in Maspeth, Queens, includes:

• A 20% to 40% pay raise for members over the course of the contract
• Increased employer contributions toward healthcare.
• An allowance for uniforms
• Additional paid time off
• Pay for training new employees
• No layoffs through the first year of the agreement

The guaranteed wage increases for employees — many of whom are already making around $90,000 to $100,000, Teamsters Local 802 president James Shannon said — stand out amid other Long Island union negotiations as families face a cost-of-living crisis that has spiraled since the 2020 pandemic.

A few months ago, five Long Island Rail Road unions went on their first strike in more than 30 years and ultimately secured an approximately 15% pay raise over the course of a four-year contract, retroactive to 2023.

Nurses at St. Charles Hospital last week warned that they would strike July 13 if there is no contract agreement. Their union is seeking higher wages and safer nurse-to-patient staffing levels.

The Teamsters were prepared to picket, Shannon said, but the contract went through with help from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

“I would say it was very significant for this group in totality,” Shannon said, noting that the local represents thousands of others in food production as well. “This puts us in a strong position moving forward with the rest of the companies as well when the contracts come up.”

The contract announced July 1 represents route sales professionals, route riders, field merchandising representatives and utility drivers employed by Entenmann’s and S.B. Thomas.

Bimbo Bakeries USA, in an emailed statement, said the company is “delighted to have reached an agreement with Local 802" on new contract terms for its Long Island and New York City associates.

“While we can’t speak to the exact extent of associated wage increases because each of our route sales professionals will be impacted differently based upon his/her unique route, the new contract continues to provide our associates with highly competitive wages and benefits,” company spokesman John Reynolds said.

By Brianne Ledda

brianne.ledda@newsday.com@brianne_ledda

Brianne Ledda covers personal finance and affordability for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.