Numbers Don’t Lie, Pepsi Management Does!
On the second to last day of bargaining before the current contract expires, Pepsi management abruptly ended bargaining before lunch. At their request, the morning session started at 10am with Pepsi presenting another lackluster counterproposal in response to the Union’s last proposal. As a reminder, the Union’s most recent proposal included, among other things, Union healthcare, substantial wage increases, increased PTO, and increased shoe allowance. Pepsi responded to only a few of the Union’s proposal and agreed to a mere two of them. The majority of the Union’s proposals, most notably healthcare, were rejected.
Pepsi management seemed to think their year 1 wage increase of a mere $3.20 (with a few exceptions to be “competitive in the market”) would be enough to buy the membership off and make members drop their demand for Union healthcare. When the Union bargaining committee didn’t jump for joy, the Company pouted and ended for the day. Instead of spending the afternoon negotiating in good faith to reach a meaningful proposal that addressed the members’ concerns, including healthcare, Pepsi ended for the day to have their management team distribute their wage proposal.
Earlier in the day, the Union’s bargaining committee clarified with the company that the meetings it is holding tomorrow are not mandatory and members will not be disciplined for not attending, despite local supervisors continuing to send out emails and texts stating otherwise. Teamsters Local 727 filed another unfair labor practice charge this morning over the company’s refusal to provide the Union with the dates and times of the meetings.
“What Pepsi is failing to tell membership is that they pay significantly less in healthcare costs than their competitors,” said John Coli, Jr., Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer. “A $3.20 wage increase doesn’t mean much when GLCC and KDP members are both offered healthcare plans that are 100% employer paid. In fact, Dr. Pepper pays $8.20 an hour in healthcare and GLCC pays $7.50 an hour in healthcare. In comparison, Pepsi pays only $2.73 an hour in healthcare.If Pepsi’s goal is to buy the membership off, they are about $5 an hour short each year of the contract. Pepsi keeps insinuating its Teamsters workers are stupid, and that management can convince them they’re going to be the highest compensated in the industry. Numbers don’t lie – Pepsi is in last place in healthcare and wages.”
If you are contacted by Management about an unfair labor practice strike, consequences of an unfair labor practice strike, replacements, or have any questions about the company’s current proposals and bargaining, please contact Business Representatives Mike DeGard or Melissa Senatore at (847) 696-7500.
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: Pepsi, Union News
