(NEW YORK) - In response to the on-going strike by workers of the Mott’s manufacturing plant just outside Rochester in Williamson, New York by members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 220, the New York City Council today urged the profitable beverage maker to “return to the negotiating table.”

Entering their eighth week on strike, more than 300 full-time, highly-skilled workers at the Mott’s manufacturing plant in Williamson 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.

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum released a letter from Speaker Christine Quinn and 36 members of the New York City Council this morning expressing their “concern” that Dr. Pepper/Snapple, which owns Mott’s, “has asked the employees of the Williamson plant to make extraordinary concessions that would affect their quality of life.” 

The City Council letter continues, "We understand that the costs of operating a plant such as this have increased.  However, we don’t feel that this justifies bargaining demands for pay cuts and increasing health coverage costs, especially for a company as profitable as Dr. Pepper/Snapple. For more than 100 years, Mott’s has thrived while proudly calling New York State home.  The workers who are responsible for the company’s success should not be forced into a contract that cuts their income at a time when the cost of living in this state increases with each passing year."

Said RWDSU President Appelbaum: “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.  We are grateful for the support of the New York City Council.”

The RWDSU (www.rwdsu.org) represents 100,000 members in the U.S. and Canada and is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).

Meanwhile, in a show of significant political strength by the RWDSU, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy, and U.S. Senators’ Schumer and Gillibrand have all sent letters to Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group CEO Larry Young that urge the company to continue bargaining in good faith.

Despite a record net profit of $555 million 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% decrease in employer contributions to the 401K and increased employee contributions toward Health Care premiums and co-pays.  

By contrast, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group CEO Young has enjoyed a 113% salary increase over the last three years or 29% in each year, and his total compensation in 2009 was $6.5 million, Union Officials said.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the Mott’s strike, visit www.mottsworkers.org