Mott’s, Dr Pepper Snapple and Margaritaville controversy?

[PHMike42]

Please don't shoot me - I'm just the messenger.

I just found this news article in the July 1 2010 BusinessWire newspaper. A food worker's union is asking people to boycot Mott's/Dr Pepper/Snapple products including Margaritaville.

I'm not posting this to cause trouble or that it is right or wrong. It's just a news article mentioning Margaritaville and I thought parrotheads might be interested. Why only Nashville, TN locations are mentioned I do not know. Maybe other cities are scheduled for other dates?
Thursday is my grocery shopping day and I need to stock up on a few parrothead items for this coming holiday weekend

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site ... ewsLang=en

July 01, 2010 11:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time
There’s Something Rotten at Mott’s

UFCW, activists, labor groups to alert shoppers at supermarkets nationwide that Mott’s is new poster child for corporate greed

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The owner of Mott’s, the highly profitable Dr Pepper Snapple, forced 300 workers on strike, May 23, at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, NY. Mott’s demands for wage and other cuts clearly sent the message to workers that while the company is extremely successful its workers are living too well, especially in the current depressed economy. With unemployment rates high in the Williamson area, Mott’s continues to insist on draconian cuts, telling its highly productive and loyal workers that they should think of themselves as a “commodity” like “soybeans or oil.”

In the week leading up to the July 4th holiday, members and staff from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) will be disseminating information to grocery shoppers on how Mott’s is hurting workers and communities. Shoppers will be encouraged to make a choice in support of workers and families by passing over Mott’s Apple Sauce; Hawaiian Punch; Margaritaville; Mr. and Mrs. T Products; Welch’s Grape Juice 64 oz; Rose’s Lime Juice; Snapple cans; Mott’s Fruitsations; Mott’s Garden Cocktail; ReaLemon/ReaLime; Holland House; and, Clamato for alternative products.

The UFCW will be in front of the following stores in Nashville from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1.

WHO: Local activists and labor advocates, led by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union

WHAT: Launch of consumer campaign to educate shoppers about how Mott’s is hurting workers and families.

WHEN: Thursday, July 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Walmart 5824 Nolensville Pk. Nashville, TN.
Kroger 5713 Edmondson Pk. Nashville, TN.
Kroger 5705 Charlotte Pk. Nashville, TN.

[ph4ever]

I'm sorry but my bloody mary isn't complete with out Mr & Mrs T's

[citcat]

What does Nashville have to do with Williamson, NY ?
I support the workers but probably won't stop buying the products that I use regularly.
Unless I learn that Mott's is evil.

[Dezdmona]

With the language being tossed around, I can only see this hurting both sides.

[PHMike42]

What does Nashville have to do with Williamson, NY ?
I support the workers but probably won't stop buying the products that I use regularly.
Unless I learn that Mott's is evil.

After a bit of research I found another similar press release saying they would also be in Nisswa, Minnesota on July 1. Both press releases mention - "Launch of consumer campaign" - so I figure Nashville and Nisswa are just the first of other locations to be targeted in their campaign. It looks like the union is looking for publicity and sympathy to use in pay rate negotiations.
I also plan to continue buying the products I normally buy. If I were to boycot all companies that do stuff I don't agree with I would not be able to buy anything at all.

ps UPDATE - I just found more press releases dated June 29 for locations in TX and PA.

[phjrsaunt]

So. A UNION is calling a CORPORATION greedy. Pot, meet the kettle.

[ph4ever]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but here goes........

IMHO these workers are freaking idiots to strike in this economy. The article PHMike42 originally quoted stated

With unemployment rates high in the Williamson area, Mott’s continues to insist on draconian cuts, telling its highly productive and loyal workers that they should think of themselves as a “commodity” like “soybeans or oil

The company is already hiring replacement workers. This particular location houses 300 workers. This particular location is the only one in the US that makes and packages Mott's applesauce. IMHO that's the one thing going for them. I think that Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. won't hesistate a minute to move the whole operations to a state where unions aren't that big - say their home state of Texas for example. Yes a move will cost them money but they could easily move to a state where the workers aren't union and they won't require a $ 20.00 an hour salary. Many areas would grant them tax concessions similar or perhaps even greater than what they have now. So in the long run the company would actually be better off.

Sounds harsh I know but here's what I found interesting, from ABC News article quoting a company representative

"We offered to keep wages unchanged after three years of salary increases and, unfortunately, the union rejected this offer," Barnes said. "As a result, we have reached an impasse in negotiations and implemented new terms that reduce wages by $1.50 an hour. Under the implemented terms, their wages are still well above the average for manufacturing jobs in the Rochester area."

Now I ask you in this economy - would you be happy to keep your job at your current salary?

Would you be happy take a salary cut if it ment that you were able to a) keep your job and b) you still made above the average of manufacturing jobs in your area?

[FINSUPinIdaho]

I will go out of my way now to specifically buy Mott's/Dr Pepper/Snapple products including Margaritaville.
IMHO unions are an outdated good old boy network that does nothing good for the economy, only line its own pockets.

[PHMike42]

No flames from me.
I'm unemployed and 'I wish I had a job to shove'

[OttoCal]

I can tell you this- I know of people in the Rochester/Upstate/Central NY area who have been laid off for a looong time and they aren't willing to 'settle' for jobs that are paying less than their previous employment. I've heard more than once that the unemployment benfits are too good to give up and that they are not willing to adjust their lifestyle to a smaller paycheck when they deserve more $$$.

I'm not in that situation, so I don't really know what to say, but when Mr. OC was laid off from a job 9 years ago no amount of unemployment money could bring him out of the funk he was in until he got another job.

I just don't get it, I guess.

[ph4ever]

I can tell you this- I know of people in the Rochester/Upstate/Central NY area who have been laid off for a looong time and they aren't willing to 'settle' for jobs that are paying less than their previous employment. I've heard more than once that the unemployment benfits are too good to give up and that they are not willing to adjust their lifestyle to a smaller paycheck when they deserve more $$$.

I'm not in that situation, so I don't really know what to say, but when Mr. OC was laid off from a job 9 years ago no amount of unemployment money could bring him out of the funk he was in until he got another job.

I just don't get it, I guess.

If the Senate continues to block extension of unemployment, it will be interesting to see if they still feel that way when their benefits run out.

[looking4OPH]

Noticed on the sample can of Margaritaville Margarita Mix I picked up near the Margaritaville bus at Alpine Valley last weekend, that it is made by Motts. So there is the Motts to Margaritaville tie.

[popcornjack]

I'm sorry but my bloody mary isn't complete with out Mr & Mrs T's

WHAT?!?!?!? Oh, Connie, Connie, Connie, you and I have to meet if for no other reason than to teach you just how good a Bloody Mary can be. And step one to that is no pre-mixes.

[ph4ever]

I'm sorry but my bloody mary isn't complete with out Mr & Mrs T's

WHAT?!?!?!? Oh, Connie, Connie, Connie, you and I have to meet if for no other reason than to teach you just how good a Bloody Mary can be. And step one to that is no pre-mixes.

I look forward to that lesson!!! My ex MIL was a bartender and that's one thing I never learned. Every time I make them they just don't taste "right". Maybe it's because I'm making them vs someone just handing me one?

[FINSUPinIdaho]

I am a huge believer in Clamato. It just has that "missing" element that really does it. Also try Absolute Pepper vodka.
(plus many secret spices, of which celery salt is one)
a little olive juice and some of mother in laws spicy homemade pickled asparagus and green beans and a slice of celery.
I call them my "Asparagus, celery and green beans salads with a Vodka/tomato vinaigrette"...they are huge hits at the tailgates...

[tigzoe]

I can tell you this- I know of people in the Rochester/Upstate/Central NY area who have been laid off for a looong time and they aren't willing to 'settle' for jobs that are paying less than their previous employment. I've heard more than once that the unemployment benfits are too good to give up and that they are not willing to adjust their lifestyle to a smaller paycheck when they deserve more $$$.

I'm not in that situation, so I don't really know what to say, but when Mr. OC was laid off from a job 9 years ago no amount of unemployment money could bring him out of the funk he was in until he got another job.

I just don't get it, I guess.

I don't get it either. They were getting paid well! If I had the choice to lose $1.50/hour or lose my job, I would take the cut in pay or benefits. When gas was $4 and my commute was 45 minutes each way, I had to go without a few things to get by. I wonder how the striking workers feel about the Union right now.

[pair8head]

For those of you who are anti Union I would ask you to read the following.

America cannot be a successful low-wage consumer society.
The Bush administration tried to make up for stagnant wages with consumer debt—
a choice that has proven disastrous. Our country needs more money to go to America’s
workers and less to Wall Street speculators and CEOs. That is why a key element of our
nation’s economic recovery must be to restore workers’ freedom to form unions, speak
for themselves and negotiate a fair share of the wealth they create. Rising income,
not more debt, is the only way out of the economic crisis.

The whole article can be found here....
http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voicea ... _union.pdf

[ph4ever]

Well of course the freaking AFL/CIO will put out a pro union article.

[phjrsaunt]

For those of you who are anti Union I would ask you to read the following.

America cannot be a successful low-wage consumer society.
The Bush administration tried to make up for stagnant wages with consumer debt—
a choice that has proven disastrous. Our country needs more money to go to America’s
workers and less to Wall Street speculators and CEOs. That is why a key element of our
nation’s economic recovery must be to restore workers’ freedom to form unions, speak
for themselves and negotiate a fair share of the wealth they create. Rising income,
not more debt, is the only way out of the economic crisis.

The whole article can be found here....
http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voicea ... _union.pdf

(full discolosure: I haven't read the whole article)
More money COULD go to the worker if they weren't required to pay ridiculous "dues" to the union.

[SMLCHNG]

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The owner of Mott’s, the highly profitable Dr Pepper Snapple, forced 300 workers on strike, May 23,

This is one part that gets me. FORCED them to go on strike. Um, no. You made a conscious decision to do so.

Now I ask you in this economy - would you be happy to keep your job at your current salary?
Would you be happy take a salary cut if it meant that you were able to a) keep your job and b) you still made above the average of manufacturing jobs in your area?

Yep. Yep.