West Side's Cloverhill Bakery Broke Promise To Hire Locally, Labor Organizers Say

Labor organizers assert that Cloverhill Bakery has not honored its commitment to hire locally since JTM Foods acquired the facility in March. The percentage of Black workers fell from 25% to 15%, raising concerns about representation in the workforce. Advocates convened to discuss their grievances after negotiations with bakery executives broke down, resulting in a demand letter left at the bakery. Edie Jacobs, founder of Get to Work, Inc. , highlighted the community's insistence on direct employment opportunities.

Interviewees expressed frustration over not hearing back from JTM Foods, linking this to the bakery's reliance on temp agencies. Historical patterns show that Cloverhill Bakery has previously struggled with high turnover rates among temp workers. The community's push for inclusion reflects ongoing challenges in labor practices within the area. Organizers emphasize the need for action to reverse trends of exclusion in the bakery's hiring practices.