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Three-month strike drew support from across the United States and Canada and from global unions and labour federations.
Ottawa (15 Sept. 2010) - Employees have declared victory after ratifying a new contract following a three-month strike at the Mott’s plant in upstate New York. They will return to work on Monday after a walkout lasting 120 days.
One of the products produced by the company is Mott’s Clamato. The brand is owned by the Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) Group, an aggressive multinational that attempted to force wage and pension cuts on approximately 300 workers at the highly-profitable Mott’s plant in Williamson, N.Y.
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The dispute attracted attention across the United States and also in Canada, where the company is attempting to have the Clamato Caesar named the national drink of Canada. Many global unions and federations had also joined in support of the workers.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) was one of many groups backing the workers and opposing the crass attempt by Mott's to milk profits from Canada's national identity.
The employees are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). NUPGE has worked closely with UFCW Canada for many years on a number of campaigns, including rights for farm workers and the drive to organize Wal-Mart workers.
The new contract in Williamstown restores wage levels and continues the employees' defined-benefit pension plan.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• Canada must not bow to this Caesar from Clamato