Juicy Profits Not Enough, Snapple Puts the Squeeze on Union Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://labornotes.org/2010/05/juicy-profits-not-enough-snapple-puts-squeeze-union-workers

Mark Brenner | May 14, 2010


RWDSU members rolled out the (un)welcome wagon for union-busting CEO Larry Young, who is trying to force $1.50 an hour wage cuts on workers making Mott's apple juice, Hawaiian punch, and Roses Lime Juice.


Corporate America has its swagger back—look no further than beverage giant Dr Pepper-Snapple. The juice and soda maker is working overtime to pulverize union standards at its Williamson, New York, plant.

“The plant manager compared us to commodities in the grocery store,” noted Larry Culver, a 15-year mechanic in the upstate New York facility, “and he said we were overpriced.”

Culver’s co-workers, members of Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union Local 220, voted 272 to 15 to reject the company’s April offer to cut wages by $1.50 an hour, freeze the traditional pension, and pare down the already-meager 401(k) plan.

They authorized a strike on April 18 by a similar margin, and are now working without a contract.
OVERPAID?

According to the Dr Pepper-Snapple public relations team, tough economic times are a chance to make “corrections” to workers’ wages and benefits.

But at the table the company was far more blunt. “They told us we were overpaid,” said Culver, a bargaining team member. “And they said with 10 percent unemployment they could find people who would do our job for less.”

FULL story at link.

[laughingliberal]

1. Just another day in the Feudal States of America. nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I hate Snapple tea

They put way too much high fructose corn syrup in their tea.

[TwilightGardener]

8. My bottle of Snapple says "sugar". Can they call HFCS sugar?

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I don't know; good question.

I don't like sugared tea and gave up on Snapple years ago because they put some kind of sweetener in all of their teas.

[Dreamer Tatum]

15. Impossible. It's made with union labor. nt

[Billy Burnett]

3. Anyone here really think that these big corporations want lower unemployment numbers?

Either all Americans shall sit at the table of affluence,
or we are going to kick the fucking legs from under the table.

-Stokely Carmichael

[blindpig]

5. "the reserve army of the unemployed"

The more the better for the capitalists.

k&r

[msongs]

4. sugar water with no food value...or is that HFCS water with no food value nt

[Rageneau]

6. Snapple was (is?) one of the biggest sponsors of Limbaugh

I stopped drinking their products once I realized they were keeping Pigboy on the air.
That told me all I ever needed to know about that company.
I hope they go broke.

[Brother Buzz]

10. Me too

Snapple® hasn't passed my lip for decades. They were one of the earliest sponsors when Limbaugh went national.

[Dreamer Tatum]

16. Wait a goddamned minute

You hope they go broke because they (allegedly) try to sell their product on a radio show that you don't like, yet I'm SURE you support union labor 100%. Is that about the extent of it?

Allow me to restate: you don't really give a shit about the well-being of union workers if you wish the company ill based on where they advertise.

What a fairy tale, gumdrop world some people live in. Outrageous.

[Hannah Bell]

7. kr

[Dappleganger]

11. "tough economic times are a chance to make “corrections” to workers’ wages and benefits."

I daresay that most companies have been doing so for the past two years. Using the economy as an excuse to strengthen their bottom-line, even if they are still thriving well. Meanwhile, CEO's pay is skyrocketing.

[Initech]

12. Something really bad needs to happen to these scumfucks.

[dotymed]

13. It's only gonna get worse

as long as we don't organize and force the needed changes. The needed changes are really evident. Regulation of greed. When it's done it's done. fuck it

[Dreamer Tatum]

17. They are organized - didn't you read the story? nt

[mr clean]

14. I've heard this too many times when I workes for Safeway..

But at the table the company was far more blunt. “They told us we were overpaid,” said Culver, a bargaining team member. “And they said with 10 percent unemployment they could find people who would do our job for less.”




Funny thing is, EVERY time they did hire cheaper labor, they got cheaper service!