Mott’s Workers Strike!
News from the RWDSU/UFCW Local 220 labor dispute in Williamson, New York
August 20, 2010 No. 6
On May 23, over 300 full-time manufacturing workers at the Mott’s
plant in Williamson, New York, were forced to strike after the company committed unfair labor practices, violating Federal labor law, and
demanded painful wage cuts while the company enjoyed a record
year of $555 million in profits. The members of RWDSU Local 220
remained committed to winning the strike and holding the line for all
middle class jobs in the U.S.
The picket lines are only part of the fight. Mott’s workers are spreading the word about their fight throughout North America, and this
newsletter tells their story.
New York State Comptroller DiNapoli Joins Mott’s Workers on
Picket Line (8/10/10)
O
n August 10, New York
State Comptroller
Thomas P. DiNapoli joined
striking workers on the
picket line in Williamson,
NY. Comptroller DiNapoli is
the Trustee of the New York
State Common Retirement
Fund, which is valued at
$126 Billion—$33.2 million
of which is Dr Pepper
Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS)
shares.
“What’s happening here
concerns me as an investor.
A company that doesn’t
show respect for its workers
is a company at risk of not
sustaining profitability,”
DiNapoli said.
“I’m inspired by all of you
and I will use whatever
leverage I have to make
this corporation do right by
you,” DiNapoli added.
In April, before the strike
began, Comptroller DiNapoli
wrote to Dr Pepper Snapple
Group CEO Larry Young,
asking the company to
reconsider their aggressive
and “contentious”
approach to bargaining.
As the comptroller
said in his letter, “…
such unresolved
labor issues can
negatively affect
the morale and
productivity of
the Company’s
dedicated
employees. A
disenfranchised
work force and
the associated
negative publicity
ultimately impact
profitability.”
“We’re glad to see
Comptroller DiNapoli
on the strike line with
us, and he is right to be (left to right) Mott’s worker Tim Budd, RWDSU President
concerned about the
Stuart Appelbaum, New York State Comptroller Thomas P.
health of the company. DiNapoli, and Mott’s worker Bruce Beal.
Judging from the few
trucks that come in and out factory, and share holders
of the plant, and the amount like the State of New York
of co-packing the company are right to stand up for
has resorted to—they
good jobs, and for their
just can’t get this factory
investments,” said Tim
working up to speed! They
Budd, an RWDSU Local 220
need us back to run the
striker.
www.mottsworkers.org
Mott’s WOrkers Strike! - August 20, 2010
New York State AFL-CIO 2010 C.O.P.E. Convention Delegates
Pledge Solidarity, Donations to Local 220 Strike Fund (8/16/10)
he annual New York
Director of Strategic
State AFL-CIO C.O.P.E.
Organizing Audra
Convention was held on
Makuch and Political
August 15-16 in Albany,
Directors Jane
NY, and RWDSU Local 220
Thompson and
Recorder and Executive
Ademola Oyefeso,
Board member Bruce Beal
were invited to
was on the scene to drum
the Convention to
up support and solidarity for spread the word
the striking union workers of about the strike at
Mott’s. “When you belong to Mott’s as well as
a union, you have strength in the corporate greed
this hand you have solidarity and reprehensible
in this hand, and when you
Unfair Labor
put them together you have
Practices of Mott’s
an unstoppable force!” he
parent company
told an enraptured assembly Dr Pepper Snapple
New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes with
of union members from
Group. Convention
across New York State, to
delegates responded Local 220 striker Bruce Beal.
which they replied with
in kind, gathering up $18,500 $5,000 each from the CSEA
thunderous applause.
in donations for the Local
(AFSCME), TWU Local 100,
220
strike
fund,
including
and the New York State AFLBeal, along with RWDSU
CIO, among others.
President Stuart Appelbaum, generous donations of
T
Texas Congressional
Delegation to Mott’s / DPS:
“Take Responsible Approach”
(8/16/10)
he RWDSU has released a letter by the
Texas Congressional Delegation to
the Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Pepper
Snapple Group expressing concern over
the ongoing strike in Williamson, NY and
urging the Texas-based beverage giant to
return to the bargaining table with RWDSU
Local 220. The letter, addressed to Dr.
Pepper Snapple CEO and President Larry
D. Young, urges the company to take a
“responsible, cooperative approach we
value so much in Texas” in dealing with
the strike at Mott’s.
The Texas Congressional Delegation is
the latest in a long line of elected officials
who have expressed concern to Mott’s,
Dr Pepper Snapple, and CEO Larry Young
over the situation in Williamson.
T
How Can you help?
Publicize this struggle within your own
union or organization.
Check out our website at:
mottsworkers.org
and download our leaflet.
Write or fax a letter to DPS President & CEO
Larry Young at:
5301 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75024 or fax it
to (972) 673-7976 (Please also fax a copy of
your letter to the RWDSU at (212) 779-2809)
Contribute to the “RWDSU Mott’s Hardship
Fund” by sending your contribution to:
RWDSU/UFCW, 30 East 29th Street, New
York, NY 10016
For more information on these stories
and more, please visit our website:
www.mottsworkers.org
Mott’s Workers Strike! is a publication of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW.
Printed in-house at RWDSU.