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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Sunday, October 7, 2007 Entire Union Will Support Teamster Bakery Workers KANSAS CITY, MO (SLFP.com), October 7, 2007 - Teamster representatives appeared in U.S. bankruptcy court in Kansas City last week to oppose the Interstate Bakeries Corp. plan to shutter bakery operations in Southern California. The union also opposed the company's eighth request to extend the time period for it to come up with a plan to exit bankruptcy. Over the Teamsters objections, the judge deferred to the company on the closing of the Southern California operations despite the fact that those operations represent about 10 percent of bread revenues and 1,300 workers. The judge, however, granted only a 30-day extension of the exclusive periods in which to file a reorganization plan. The company originally had requested an extension to January 2008. "The odds may be in favor of the mismanagement at Interstate now, but that tide can change in the next few weeks," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "Not only are the 10,000 Interstate Teamster workers a force to be reckoned with, but add to that our national membership of more than 1.4 million, and we have a wall of support." "We disagree with the court's decision and we vow to keep fighting for economic justice for our members at Interstate," said Richard Volpe, Director of the Teamsters Bakery Conference. "Our bread plants in Southern California were viewed by Interstate as just another casualty. We were never consulted about the closing of those plants. "The company now has a firm timeline to come up with a plan," Volpe said. "Its games of excluding viable investors that are willing to work with the unionized workforce will quickly come to an end. We stand willing to bargain with those that have a long-term view and value the hard work of the 10,000 Teamsters and thousands of union-represented employees at Interstate. We were prepared to introduce such an investor, Yucaipa Companies, but the judge gave the company a 30-day reprieve." The Teamsters and Yucaipa have a long history of working together and are confident that they can work together to preserve jobs at Interstate while also maximizing value for all stakeholders. "We will continue to explore options that are in the best, long-term interest of the company and protects our members' job security," Volpe said. Change A Light, Change The World Campaign Launched to help Consumers Save Money KANSAS CITY, MO (SLFP.com), October 7, 2007 - The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and AmerenUE, Aquila, Inc., City Utilities of Springfield (CU), Columbia Water & Light, Crawford Electric Cooperative, Empire District Electric Company, Independence Power & Light, Kansas City Power & Light, and The Missouri Department of Natural Resources have launched the 2007 Change A Light, Change The World campaign to help consumers save money and energy with a twist of an ENERGY STAR(R) qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). From October 1 through December 31, 2007, Missouri's sponsor organizations and the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) are encouraging Missouri residents to "Change the World" one light, one step at a time by replacing their home's five most frequently used light fixtures, or the bulbs in them, with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. In the average home, the most frequently used fixtures are: kitchen ceiling dome light, living room table lamp, living room floor lamp, bathroom vanity light and outdoor porch or post lamp. By making this change, a household can save at least $60 a year in energy costs in addition to protecting the environment. The program is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) national "ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World" campaign. MEEA and its sponsoring partner are helping Missouri residents make the simple switch to energy-efficient lighting by offering $2 instant rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified CFL purchases while supplies last. With the instant rebates, the CFLs will sell for as little as $0.99 at select retail locations.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 Moore Design Group. |
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