Union workers at Mott’s NY apple juice plant OK new contract, ending 4-month strike

Striking Mott’s NY plant workers OK new contract

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A strike at a Mott’s apple juice plant in western New York has been settled by a new labor contract between owner Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. and a union representing about 300 workers.

Hourly employees voted 185-62 in favor of a contract including a three-year wage freeze. They’ll return next Monday to the factory in Williamson, just east of Rochester. They had walked out May 23 over proposed wage and benefit reductions.

The plant workers average $21 an hour.

The Plano, Texas-based maker of Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Snapple and Dr Pepper drinks had said it needed to tighten costs. Company spokesman Chris Barnes say he’s “very pleased with this resolution.”

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union president Stuart Appelbaum calls the contract “a big victory” because workers preserve their wage rates and pensions.