Statement by Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union RE: RWDSU Local 220 Strike Against Mott's in Williamson, NY

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday September 2, the members of RWDSU Local 220 rejected another set of proposed concessions from the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group which operates the Mott's manufacturing plant in Williamson, NY.

Concessions in the latest proposal would have resulted in lower compensation for the members.  For instance, the 60 percent reduction in the 401 (k) match alone would have resulted in the loss of approximately $3,600 for each member. Work rule changes would have decreased workers' annual pay.  The members would have been forced to endure significant increases to the costs of their current health care plans as well as large and potentially prohibitive increases in the future.  New workers would have lost their pension and their retirement security.

And why? Dr. Pepper Snapple Group asserts that a profitable company should be able to ask its workers for concessions when they think they can get away with it, even as management increases its own compensation. Dr. Pepper Snapple is trying to take advantage of high unemployment in western New York.

The strike has not been easy for the workers and their families.  They have gone without a paycheck and health care coverage for 16 weeks now, even as 7 families battle with cancer.

When asked how one should explain to workers that they are being asked for concessions at a time of high profitability, both at their plant and for the company as a whole, while executives see their income increase, the company said, "tell them it's a new America."

The courageous workers at Mott's are fighting for all working people in this country.  They demand that there has to be a limit to corporate greed.  They do not accept Dr. Pepper Snapple Group's vision for our country.  

The company's new proposal was put before the membership on Thursday, September 2nd so that they could decide what they wanted to do, and they answered with a resounding "NO" against concessions and corporate greed.  Yesterday's rejection was democracy in action.

The members spoke out overwhelmingly that they will not be bullied. They are grateful for the enormous support they have received from throughout the community, and from across the country for their stand.

As we approach Labor Day 2010, the Mott's strikers have become symbols for workers across the country in the fight for fairness and justice in the workplace.  The Mott's workers have a message for all Americans:  "We must stand together as working people against corporate greed.  Enough is enough."

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

SOURCE Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union