The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company today filed a charge against Teamsters Local 830 due to unfair labor practices, as the union heads into the second week of its strike against the company’s Philadelphia facilities.
According to the charge filed with the National Labor Relations Board, the union is using the strike in an attempt to organize other employees who are not part of the striking bargaining unit, as well as attempting to force the rehiring of an employee who is not a union member and was fired for documented violations of company policy.
A second contract vote took place Friday (April 23) following negotiations the night before during which the company presented a new offer. The union failed to notify 75 to 100 of its members of the vote, and those members were therefore disenfranchised because they did not have a chance to vote on the new contract. Adoption of the new contract offer failed by 25 votes.
“The union is attempting to use this strike as an opportunity to forward the agenda of Local 830’s president, Joe Brock Jr., rather than promoting the interests of our employees,” said Tracee Hunt, vice president for Human Resources, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “Filing unfair labor practice charges will help remedy the situation and focus attention on the real issues in this strike; namely, the union leadership’s agenda to further organize this company, rather than properly representing the employees who are already members of the union.”
The company’s latest offer is the richest in its history. The offer includes a 20% increase in pension benefits, wage increases of $1.65 over four years, and maintenance of a high-quality Blue Cross/Blue Shield health benefits plan.
“We have negotiated in good faith throughout this process,” said Hunt. “We have taken this action today to focus attention on the real issues. We hope for an early end to this strike and the return to work of our employees. In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to keep delivering Coca- Cola products to our customers.”
CONTACT: Tracee Hunt, Vice President, Human Resources, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, +1-215-427-6178, Cell: +1-215-651-6066