Strikers stand firm vs. Mott’s rotten bosses

Aug. 30 — Today is the 100th day that Mott’s applesauce and apple juice workers have been on strike in Western New York. They’d planned a rally at 1 p.m. to commemorate their stand against corporate greed.

But an emergency meeting was called at 9 a.m. to discuss what Mike LeBerth, president of Local 220 of the Department Store union, a division of the Food and Commercial Workers union (RWDSU-UFCW), had been told was a new contract offer from the owner of Mott’s, the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.

What’s new is a $1,000 signing bonus, though DPS hadn’t changed other terms: $1.50 per hour pay cut for the first year, followed by 50-cent cuts the next two years, a pension freeze and increased health care costs.

“It was a lousy contract when we went out on May 23, and it’s still lousy,” LeBerth told Workers World on Aug. 29. But this morning DPS double-crossed the local by not putting the new offer in writing.

“I have no idea what’s going on,” said LeBerth. “As far as I’m concerned, if there’s nothing in writing, it’s only rumors. It’s definitely disappointing that the company refuses to negotiate.”

But LeBerth was pleased that more than three-quarters of the membership were at today’s rally. “We showed how strong, how united we are. We’re not backing down,” he said. Other unionists joined the 24/7 picket line, which stretches the full length of the huge plant on Route 104 in Williamson.

Acres and acres of orchards, the trees heavy with red and golden apples, line either side of Route 104 for many, many miles. The apples will be ready for harvest in two weeks, and then they must be processed round the clock.

Though DPS has attempted to keep the highly profitable plant operating with temporary labor, the untrained scabs (only 10 experienced workers have crossed the line) are producing less than a third of what Local 220 members produce. That estimate, said LeBerth, is based on the number of tractor-trailers entering and leaving the parking lot.

When will DPS figure out even the apples are siding with the workers?

How long will DPS — which banked $555 million in 2009, with $5.5 million in pure profit, and which gave shareholders a 67 percent raise in May — continue to lose money because of the strike?

Standing up for all workers

That’s not what DPS planned when the thriving company demanded givebacks from the workers. Though contract negotiations began in late February, the company didn’t reveal its “last, best, final offer” until late March. LeBerth described the meeting: As the DPS boss raised his right hand, he said, “We’re here and,” raising his left hand a couple of feet to the left, “the union is here. And when we’re through,” moving his left hand next to his right, “the union will be here standing behind us.”

But DPS’s hard-line class warfare has only angered and emboldened the workers, who are determined to save their union and their jobs. They know the stakes are high in this recession. But they also understand they’re defending the rights of all working people by defying DPS’s draconian ultimatum.

“I got an e-mail from a guy in Switzerland who thanked us for standing up for the working people of the world,” said LeBerth, grinning proudly.

Support for the strike started on day one. Members of many unions around the state, including Steelworkers, Service Employees and NYS United Teachers, have rallied, marched, picketed and written checks. Members of Xerox’s UNITE HERE local held the line during this morning’s meeting.

Donations of food, diapers and school supplies have poured in from local businesses, churches and food pantries. Letters of solidarity have come from unlikely sources, like the New York City Council and the Texas Congressional Committee.

DPS’s anti-worker tactics started as soon as it bought Mott’s from family-friendly Cadbury in 2007. “They began getting rid of family picnics, softball games, golf tournaments, the Christmas party and bonuses,” said Lisa Lester, a 24-year employee. “Then they added responsibilities like QC [quality control] and maintenance with no raise in pay. It’s not a fun place to work anymore.”

DPS also got rid of chairs at work stations, which, said one worker, “created a prison-like atmosphere.” LeBerth noted, “We grieved that, but they said, ‘You have to be 100 percent totally engaged in your jobs.’ But we work in high heat and there’s no air conditioning or proper ventilation, though they finally put in a few fans. It’s difficult for older workers to stand during a whole shift. Besides, we can do our jobs sitting down.”

In contrast, the union is taking care of its own. Dale Poole, a 7-year employee who’s on the hardship committee, helps dispense strike benefits. “We’re making sure nobody’s going to lose their house, their utilities, their car,” he said. “We’ve been receiving hardship pay since the second week, and then unemployment insurance kicked in a month ago. That’s comparable to our wages.”

DPS is running out of time because the apples are ripe for picking and processing. Local 220 is determined — and prepared — to hold their picket line as long as needed to turn back this assault on their standard of living.