RALLY AT MOTT'S TO ASSIST STRIKING WORKERS DRAWS HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS

CSEA stands in solidarity with RWDSU Local 220 in Wayne County, N.Y.  Pictured here are married union activists, Rick and Anne Bulman who don tee-shirts from their respective unions.
(photos courtesy of Bess Watts)
click on images for a larger view

Williamson, N.Y.-- Hundreds of supporters converged at the picket lines outside the Mott's manufacturing plant today in Williamson, N.Y., protesting what workers define as a classic case of corporate greed versus the working class.

The Mott's plant, which also produces apple juice and apple concentrate, is one of the largest buyers of local apples, while Wayne County is one of the nation's largest counties for apple production.

In response to the ongoing strike, the office of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) urged the profitable beverage maker to "come back to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith." A spokesperson for Schumer appeared at the rally today in support of ending the strike.

Earlier this week, Senator Schumer sent a firm letter to Mr. Larry D. Young, President and CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group expressing concern that the "livelihoods of thousands of the region's residents could be negatively impacted if this situation (the four week strike) is not resolved soon."

Schumer wrote "my office has been closely monitoring and communicating with leaders of the RWDSU. With unemployment in the Rochester area nearly 10 percent, the ongoing labor shortage is not only harming the 305 workers of the RWDSU Local 220 who work in the facility, but can harm the entire Wayne County economy due to the facility's centrality to the regional and state apple market."

Senator Schumer ended his letter to Mr. Young urging the company to get back to the negotiating table so the "proud and productive workers of Mott's can go back to work."

Congressman Dan Maffei (D- New York) passionately echoed the serious concerns of Canadian officials regarding the health and safety risks of Mott's beverages in light of the company's use of untrained, inexperienced temporary workers to replace its highly-skilled workforce currently on strike.

Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said, "We are grateful for the support and public comments by Senator Charles Schumer."

Supporters of the strike say the rank and file workers helped make Mott’s the highly profitable company they are, and they should not be treated like a bunch of rotten apples by overpaid executives. Appelbaum added, "Whittling down wage and benefit standards, while exponentially increasing CEO compensation is just rotten business, and frankly un-American."

Bess Watts, Monroe County Local 828 President said the rally had a strong CSEA contingent, especially the public employees who work in Wayne County. She added that today's protest was "empowering" and "another defining moment in class warfare in upstate New York."

Mott's products are produced by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), the North American beverages division spun off by Cadbury Schweppes in 2008, whose leading brands in addition to Mott's include Snapple, Yoo-hoo, A&W and Hires root beers, Crush, Sunkist, Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Squirt, RC Cola, Diet Rite, and of course Schweppes, among others. The Williamson plant is the only Mott's facility to make the company's popular apple sauce and organic apple juice concentrate. Citizens that see this strike as a social justice issue are advocating consumers to forgo these products until further notice.

You can view more photos of today's rally at the Voice Reporter photostream.