Members and Family celebrate Mark's 40 years as a Union Member!!
Members from Mount Royal Fine Foods, Duluth, Minnesota
Left to Right:
Bakery Manager; Ray Waldron, Journeyman Baker; Mark Carlson, Cake Decorator; Barb Bakke, Bakery Merchandiser and Lead Wrapper; Cheryl Bloomquist.
This past November marked a milestone for Journeyman Baker Mark Carlson of Duluth, Minnesota. For in November of 2011 Mark noted his 40th year as a member of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Miller’s Union. Back in the days when Mark applied for membership into this organization, (which is a story in itself, more about that later) it was then known as the B & C; Bakery & Confectioner’s Union. Off course our organization has gone through a few mergers and name changes since then. In 1973 the Tobacco Workers merged with the B & C to become the BC&T, and in 1999 the American Federation of Grain Millers merged with the BC&T to become what it is today: the BCTGM.
Memebers of Mark's Family
Mark brought his 40 year anniversary date to our attention last August. We marveled at his length of membership and thought this is something which should be noted and celebrated.
We requested an award and a 40 year membership pin from our International Union back last fall. After the International Union reviewed Marks length of membership they promptly sent out his award and pin. We scheduled the January Duluth Membership meeting as the date to present the award to Mark.
We all met Thursday evening January 12th at the Duluth Labor Temple. A motion was made to suspend the regular order of business to recognize Mark’s achievement. I called and ordered out pizza for delivery and while we waited I asked Mark to tell his story.
“Back when I got out of High School I wanted to learn a trade. I wanted to be a welder, but my brother in law was a baker. He talked me into going into the bakery trade. The next year I attended what was then Duluth AVTI; Duluth Area Vocational and Technical Institute. They offered a course in Commercial Baking. I went there to learn the trade. This I did and I have never looked back. My first job in the trade was at St. Anne’s Rest Home, we made baked goods for the residents. This was a nursing home run by the Catholic Church here in Duluth. I worked there for a time but I saw an opportunity to move on. I remember the Sister who ran the bakery there telling me, “Oh Mark, you’re not ready to go out on your own yet!” I laugh about it, but I realize she was just worried about me. Next I went to work for Ed’s Bakery over in Cloquet, this was in 1970. This lasted about a year until I got a job with Denfeld’s Supervalu here in Duluth in 1971. This was a Union Shop, and my first introduction to the Union. Back in those days Duluth had its own local union, seems to me it was B&C Local #58. Meetings were held at the old Woodman Hall. At that time you had to go to a meeting to apply for membership. The Sergeant at Arms would escort you from the meeting, and then the members would take a vote to decided to accept you. They voted to accept me. At Denfeld’s we baked for several stores. The business changed hands a few times. A man named Paulsen owned it for a time. I think about 1980 the name was changed to Mount Royal SuperValu. Sherman Quisberg owned it from 1984 to 1998 when the present owner Scott Driskill bought the business. He changed the name to Mount Royal Fine Foods. The store went through a major renovation back in 2006. I have always enjoyed my work, and I’ve always been around great people.”
Vice-President Bruce Peglow congratulating Mark on his 40 years of membership in the BCTGM
Members of Mark’s family and three co-workers were there to celebrate with him. including; Bakery Manager; Ray Waldron, Cake Decorator; Barb Bakke, and Bakery Merchandiser & Head Wrapper; Cheryl Bloomquist. Ray Waldron commented how helpful Mark was to all; both his coworkers, and visiting with customers on the sales floor to assist them with their shopping needs.
On behalf of the membership, the Officers would like to extend their heartfelt congratulations to Mark for his more than 40 years as a Union member!
