New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Urges Mott's/Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to Get Back to Negotiating Table and Bargain in Good Faith

WILLIAMSON, N.Y., June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the ongoing strike by workers of the Mott's manufacturing plant in Williamson, NY by members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 220, New York Attorney General and Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo urged the profitable beverage maker to "come back to the negotiating table, bargain in good faith and reach a fair and equitable solution for the workers, company and state."

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum released a letter from Mr. Cuomo this morning deeming it the "utmost importance" that Dr. Pepper Snapple "comes back to the negotiating table, bargains in good faith and reaches a fair and equitable solution for the workers, the company and the state."

"I am deeply concerned about the impact this strike could have locally in Wayne County and across New York State," Cuomo wrote.

"…It is in the best interest of all involved that this strike be settled as quickly as possible. New York needs the high-skill good paying jobs this plant provides. The upstate economy needs this plant to be working at full capacity, producing quality product for consumers across the country."

Recently Cuomo's Lieutenant Governor running mate, Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy visited the Mott's strikers on the picket line as a show of support, and U.S. Senators' Schumer and Gillibrand both sent letters to Mr. Larry D. Young, President and CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE:DPS) urging the company to continue bargaining in good faith.

Entering their fifth week on strike, over 300 full-time, highly-skilled workers at the Mott's manufacturing plant in Williamson, New York stopped work on May 23rd as a result of the company's unfair labor practices committed by corporate executives in their efforts to impose drastic and unprecedented wage and benefit cuts after failing to reach a contract agreement with the union.

"The workers of Mott's were forced out on strike because of pure corporate greed.  A business model that allows profitable companies like Dr. Pepper Snapple to pay their CEO lavish salaries while cutting workers' salaries and benefits is unhealthy for our people, state and our nation," said Stuart Appelbaum,  president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW.  "We are grateful for the support and strong public comments by Attorney General Cuomo."

Despite record profits ($555 million net profit in 2009), an increase in market share and a skyrocketing stock price Dr Pepper Snapple Group has imposed 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.  

By contrast, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group President  & CEO Larry D. Young has enjoyed a 113% salary increase over the last 3 years (or 29 percent each year).  Mr. Young's total compensation last year was $6.5 million.

For a copy of Attorney General Cuomo's letter, go to http://www.rwdsu.info/files/RWDSULetterCuomo.pdf

For more information on the Mott's strike, visit www.mottsworkers.org.

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union represents 100,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.  For more info, www.rwdsu.org.

SOURCE Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union