New York City Council Expresses Concern to Dr. Pepper Snapple Regarding Mott's Workers

NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has announced that in a July 19, 2010 letter to Dr. Pepper Snapple the New York City Council expressed concern over the ongoing strike in Williamson, NY and urged Dr. Pepper Snapple to return to the bargaining table with RWDSU Local 220. The letter addressed to Dr. Pepper Snapple president Larry Young goes on to say that while costs may have increased, this did not justify the multinational billion dollar corporation's demands threatening Mott's workers' wages, pensions, and healthcare coverage.

Larry D. Young

President/CEO

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

5301 Legacy Drive

Plano, TX 75024

Dear Mr. Young:

We are writing to express our concern over the ongoing strike by workers at the Mott's plant in Williamson, NY, owned and operated by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.  These men and women, some of whom have worked for Mott's for more than 20 years, have dedicated themselves to their jobs while producing quality apple products for generations of Americans to enjoy.

It has been reported that your company, a multinational billion dollar corporation, has asked the employees of the Williamson plant to make extraordinary concessions that would, no doubt, affect their quality of life.  As we understand it, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group's demands would substantially reduce the wages of a significant portion of the Williamson plant's workforce, freeze pensions for current employees, and require significant out-of-pocket payments for healthcare coverage.

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.

Your employees are entitled to be treated with respect and compensated fairly for their work.  We urge Dr. Pepper Snapple to return to the bargaining table with RWDSU Local 220.

Sincerely,

SOURCE Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union