Morale and Support High for Mott's Striking Workers

After starting picketing on May 23rd, moral is still high in Williamson NY where 304 out of the 305 hourly Mott’s workers are on strike after failed contract renegotiation. The Mott’s cooperation proposed a $1.50 per hour wage cut for all employees, a pension elimination for future employees and a pension freeze for current employees, a 20 percent decrease in employer contributions to the 401K and increased employee contributions toward health care premiums and co-pays. This come after the companies most profitable year in 2009 bring in $555,000,000 in profit, and the CEO has had a %113 increase in pay over the last 3 years.

After starting picketing on May 23rd, moral is still high in Williamson NY where 304 out of the 305 hourly Mott’s workers are on strike after failed contract renegotiation. The Mott’s cooperation proposed a $1.50 per hour wage cut for all employees, a pension elimination for future employees and a pension freeze for current employees, a 20 percent decrease in employer contributions to the 401K and increased employee contributions toward health care premiums and co-pays. This come after the companies most profitable year in 2009 bring in $555,000,000 in profit, and the CEO has had a %113 increase in pay over the last 3 years.
After all this, the workers and members of union RWDSU local 220 said they had, had enough. “No one wins in a strike, but you have to stand up for what you believe in,” said one concerned and striking worker. According to another worker when he first started at the company 25 years ago, it was a family friendly event. “We had picnics on the front lawn… you knew the names of your co-workers and their kids...but it isn’t that way anymore,” he said. “...I’d like to stress that this is an Unfair Labor Practice Strike (NOT an Economic Strike),” said union rep Peter Montalbano “This is an important point to stress because Unfair Labor Practice strikers have more protections under Federal labor law than do strikers who stop work purely for economic reasons.” This means that all permeant replacement workers (a type of strikebreaker) must be fired after the strike is over in addition any striking worker can go back to working at any time.
As the strike continues there is no end to the trouble the management is having keeping the plant open. Temporary employees are the only hope of keeping the plant open. However it has caused all sorts of problem as they are inadequately trained, for the high skill job level that is required of a typical Mott’s employee. One man said that not only did he run his machine, but he also knew how to maintain and fix it. Something the company is now having to spend thousands on as things are breaking down.
Through it all there has been really great solidarity. Teamsters 118, International brotherhood of ethical workers (IBEW),The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), and International Workers of the World (IWW) among others have come out in support of the strikers. There is no sign of negotiation but all seem to say they are in in for the long hall. They say donations of food or money are accepted, and they welcome anyone who wants to show support to come stand out on the picket line with the workers. Donations are being coordinated by RWDSU Local 220 President Mike LeBerth. Solidarity forever!