Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to return to negotiations with workers at the Mott’s facility in Williamson. After several months of negotiations, Dr. Pepper Snapple broke off negotiations and workers at the plant went on strike. This current impasse and strike does not just affect Mott’s workers, but could have a ripple effect in the Upstate economy, including on the important apple industry and the hard working farmers in the area. Wayne County is the number one apple growing county in the state and area farmers supply between 6 and 7 billion bushels of apples to Mott’s each year.
In her letter to Larry D. Young, President, CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Senator Gillibrand wrote, “Today with the strike underway, I implore you to consider the long term impact this could have on the local economy in the heart of Upstate New York. […] As a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, I understand that preserving a market for our home grown, American crops is important to our state and this country. I ask you and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to do whatever possible to protect good paying jobs and help support the local economy here in New York State.”
Over the past two months, Senator Gillibrand has closely followed the negotiations between workers and the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. In April, after the initial phase of discussions, Senator Gillibrand successfully urged Mr. Young to continue negotiations. Just last week, Senator Gillibrand spoke to Mr. Young, encouraging him to negotiate his plan to implement major wage and benefit cuts.