Coca-Cola workers continue to strike over pay
30 September 2010
Unite members at Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Edmonton bottling plant
are continuing to strike as the company refuses to enter into
meaningful negotiations over a two year pay offer. Workers are
being offered two per cent in 2010 and are likely to only receive
around two per cent in 2011.
Unite members at the plant voted by a massive eight to one to
reject the company's two per cent pay offer.
There has been growing support for the striking workers from
Coca-Cola workers across the world, including the US, Pakistan,
South Africa and Ireland. Also comedian and activist Mark Thomas, a
long term critic of Coca-Cola’s more notorious practices, has
offered his support to the 110 Unite members at the plant.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer, said: “Our members at
Coca-Cola in Edmonton are standing firm and will continue to strike
until Coca-Cola Enterprises agrees to enter meaningful discussions
to try to reach a fair deal. We want to see a deal that reflects
our members’ hard work and the continuing rise in the cost of
living in such an expensive city.
“Support for our members is growing with more messages of
encouragement flooding in from across the world. We hope the
company engages more positively soon so that we can reach an
agreement and end this dispute.”
The action will be discontinuous strike action with members who
work the day shifts commencing 06.00 hours finishing work at 15.00
hours instead of 18.00 hours. Members who work the night shift will
commence work at 21.00 hours instead of 18.00 hours and finish at
06.00 hours the following day. There will be no production at the
site between the hours of 15.00 and 21.00.
ENDS
Contact: Unite communications officer, Shaun Noble, Unite
communications officer, on 07768 693940
Strike dates are as follows:
- Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 September 2010
- Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September 2010
- Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 September 2010
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