A week-long strike involving over 200 workers at a Keurig Dr Pepper plant in Victorville expanded Monday to include hundreds more people at five other facilities in Southern California.
The workers with Teamsters Local 896 authorized a strike May 5 after their three-year contract expired April 1, according to Christian Castro, a spokesman for the Teamsters in Southern California.
The strike was extended by the Teamsters to cover 700 workers at other unionized Keurig Dr Pepper plants in Orange; Vernon, Riverside, San Fernando, Thousand Palms and Ventura, Castro said.
“They will be there every day until the company is ready to make a deal,” he said.
The Victorville workers are striking for higher wages and “a guaranteed defined pension plan” since they don’t earn a living wage to contribute to a 401k savings plan, Castro added.
“We have negotiated in good faith throughout this process and presented an offer that is comprehensive and competitive, with meaningful wage increases and benefit enhancements,” said Katie Gilroy, a spokeswoman for the Burlington, Massachusetts-based beverage company.
“It is disappointing the union has decided to strike instead of continuing those conversations,” Gilroy said. “We value our team members and their contributions and remain optimistic we can reach an agreement.”
Keurig Dr Pepper distributes non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee, juices, soft drinks and tea water. They market these products under various brands like Keurig, Dr Pepper, 7 Up, Schweppes and Snapple. The company also is known for its single-serve coffee brewing system.
Gilroy confirmed that Victorville produces a range of brands. “Most of these products are also produced in other locations, and we have contingency plans in place to protect service throughout the work stoppage.”
A second issue to arise in the labor discussions is a refusal by the company to pay an estimated $100,000 in back pay on sick time for a handful of workers in Victorville, Castro said. The Nov. 11, 2024, sick pay ruling was made through an independent arbitrator hired by the two sides, he said.
Gilroy had no response when asked about the status of that sick pay.
The Teamsters represent drivers, mechanics, workers involved in warehouse and production, and merchandisers, who are responsible for planning the promotion of products in a retail setting.