Bakery union to talk with General Mills in Feb.

Discussions are tentatively scheduled early next month between General Mills and the union that represents 335 workers at its Pillsbury plant in New Albany, as well as 80 workers at neighboring Sonoco Products whose jobs also could be jeopardized if the plant closes next year.

Roger Miller, president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 33G, said Thursday he also plans to meet Friday with staff members from Sen. Joe Donnelly's office, who contacted him after hearing the news of General Mills' plan last week to close the plant.

Miller has also received calls from the offices of Rep. Todd Young and state Sen. Ron Grooms, both of whom he hopes to meet with soon about the plant, Floyd County's fifth largest manufacturing employer.

New Albany City Council members on Thursday night were expected to discuss and likely approve a resolution from Mayor Jeff Gahan asking them to form a four-person committee of council and administration members who'll look for ways they might be able to help keep the General Mills-Pillsbury plant in the city.

Gahan also has reached out to state and local economic development leaders, including Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellsperman and Lani Czarniecki, director of intergovernmental affairs for Gov. Mike Pence, to try to find alternatives.

"I look forward to working with the City Council, the Governor's office, corporate officials, union leadership, and anyone else that will help promote discussions that will lead to the continuous operation of the New Albany facility," Gahan said.

Council President Pat McLaughlin said Thursday that he agreed with forming a joint committee of city administrators and legislators.

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"Those are good jobs we're talking about," he said.

Miller said hourly workers at both facilities earn $26-$27 an hour, with increases for second and third shifts. Workers can make up to $100,000 annually with overtime, in addition to benefits that are rare at other workplaces.

General Mills' decision is pending negotiations with the union, a stipulation of its four-year contract with the company signed last April that requires the company to give the union the opportunity to bargain for keeping some local operations before any decrease.

If the decision becomes final, General Mills expects the facility would close in mid-2016.

A General Mills' spokeswoman declined to discuss possible plant closure alternatives when it announced its preliminary decision, deferring instead to union officials.

Though it was before he started working there 33 years ago, Miller said he believes employment likely peaked at around 800 workers the plant in the 1960s. Much of the process, such as putting dough in cans by hand, was later done by machines.

Miller said this allowed it to increase production, which peaked between the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Reporter Charlie White can be reached at (812) 949-4026 or on Twitter @c_write.