Mott's Workers Go on Strike, Charge Unfair Labor Practices
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On Sunday May 23, 2010, the workers at the Motts Plant in Williamson, NY went on strike after rejecting a final contract company offer. The union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Complaint lists Unfair Labor Practices by the company and specific management personnel. The following complaints were included:
1. Workers were unable to wear anything representing the union, including hats and shirts. The local union President Michael LeBerth stated he was sent home because he was wearing company shirt embroidered with the union logo at work.
2. The company used intimidation, including buying chains and locks and displaying them prominently, threatening workers with a lock out.
3. A supervisor threatened plant closure if workers did not accept the companies final contract proposal.
4. Management threatened workers that if they did not accept the final contract offer, the company would reduce wages by $1.50 an hour.
According to the union representatives all these constitute unfair labor practices. There is a NLRB member currently out at the plant investigating the allegations.
After going on strike, workers received a letter from management saying the company would implement the final contract they offered including the wage decrease. It was signed by George Tobin , Williamson Plant Manager. The letter told workers about the new contract and when each item would be implemented. The letter included a decrease in hourly wages by $1.50 a hour across the board. There will be a pension freeze for current employees and elimination of the pension for future employees, 401(K) match will be decreased to 4% from 5%, which is a 20% decrease and major health care benefit changes including a increase workers contribution to premium cost and an increase in co pays and out of pocket expenses. The company states they can implement this contract because there was an impasse in negotiations. The workers, however, say there was not an impasse and that the company refused to negotiate in good faith and engaged in numerous Unfair Labor Practices.
The Parent Company of Motts, Dr. Pepper Snapple Inc., did not decide to make all these drastic cuts due to poor financial performance. In fact, the company made a profit of $555 million last year. The CEO of the Motts Williamson plant, Larry Young, makes a salary of $6.7 million. The company says they are making these changes to make wages and salaries more in line with other businesses in the area. However, a worker told this reporter that some in management point to the high unemployment rate in the area and argue that there would be plenty of people who would work for what they are offering.
The production at the plant has been impacted greatly by the strike. The plant hired temp workers to try to keep production going, but reports have been that only 4500 cases of apple sauce were produced on Friday compared to 40,000 cases produced by the regular workers. Production is down to about 5-10% of normal production. There was also a report on Friday that a temp worker had had an accident with a machine requiring stitches. In discussing such incidents, the workers continually emphasize that they would much rather be working and would like to have good faith negotiations with management, so they can get the back to their jobs.
In the early evening on Friday, May 28, some striking workers picketing noticed a horrendous odor coming from an area across the street from them. They reported seeing trucks go back there earlier and called the State Troopers requesting a DEC, Department of Environmental Conservation, employee to come down because they suspected illegal dumping by the plant. When this reporter left, the Troopers had arrived and were taking down the workers statements. The workers also stated that the Troopers were calling to try to get someone from the DEC out to investigate.
Many of the workers said that they represent workers everywhere that are seeing wages and benefits cut, while these large corporations are making huge profits. They also spoke about the impact on the community. Not only would these wages and benefit decreases effect them and their families, but also the whole community because ultimately less money would be spent in local businesses. One worker held a sign that said “War Against the Workers†and said he was fighting for justice.
R.W.D. S. U. Local 220 President Michael Le Berth said the support from the community and other local unions has been wonderful. Michael said that local pizzerias have donated pizzas to the workers and other local businesses have donated ice and beverages. Local union members from other industries have walked the picket line with RWDSU members and some have even offered financial support. When this reporter asked what community members could do for support, Michael LeBerth said that people can come and walk the picket line with striking workers, honk their horns to show support when passing by or just stop by and say hello to the striking workers.
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