PLANO, Texas, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Pepper Snapple Group today addressed numerous misrepresentations made by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which led workers on strike at the company's Mott's plant in Williamson, N.Y., on May 23.
We met with union leaders last week in Dallas to discuss issues in our last, best and final contract offer that, if resolved, would potentially end the strike. We advised the union that we would agree to several key terms if they were pre-ratified by the union membership. But the employees overwhelmingly rejected the terms, which included:
-- Maintaining wages at their pre-strike levels for the duration of the three-year contract. This would keep the average hourly pay of Williamson employees at more than $21 an hour -- approximately 50 percent more than the typical manufacturing wage in the Rochester metropolitan area. -- A one-time $1,000 signing bonus for union workers returning to their jobs. -- Retaining the pension for current employees but reducing the 401(k) contribution from 5 percent to 2 percent. New hires would receive no pension and a 4 percent match on 401(k). -- 30 days' notice on wage adjustments in the event of a change in work classification. -- A health insurance plan with a comparable cost structure to policies available to other workers at DPS and peer companies. This included an 80/20 company-to-employee split on health insurance premium costs; the company also offered a 50-50 split on annual premium increases in excess of 10 percent.
We're disappointed union employees rejected their leadership's proposed solution to end the strike. Not only would this have kept compensation well above local averages, but it would also help the company achieve its chief objective in Williamson: improve the competitiveness and flexibility of an operation that is the least efficient of any DPS manufacturing facility.
But the RWDSU steadfastly refuses to work with us in our efforts to deliver value to our customers and consumers in the highly competitive apple juice and applesauce categories. Meanwhile, Williamson continues to operate with replacement workers, and production output is approaching pre-strike levels.
The company expects no further discussions with the union. About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. is the leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 9 of our 12 "power brands" are No. 1 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes Sunkist soda, 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Mott's, Squirt, Hawaiian Punch, Penafiel, Clamato, Schweppes, Venom Energy, Rose's and Mr & Mrs T mixers. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit http://www.drpeppersnapple.com/.
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.
CONTACT: Chris Barnes, +1-972-673-5539, or Greg Artkop, +1-972-673-8470,
both of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.drpeppersnapple.com/
