Workers at Coca-Cola Approve New Agreement

TORONTO, July 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Workers at Coca-Cola bottling in Brampton, Ontario have approved a new three-year deal by 83 per cent, officially ending a three-week long strike.

"The real fight here was over the defined benefit pension plan, with Coca-Cola pushing us to move to a defined contribution plan," said Jerry Dias, Assistant to the CAW National President. "Coca-Cola can certainly afford for employees to retire with a stable income. We were ultimately successful in keeping the defined benefit pension plan and improving upon it."

The new deal also includes wage increases in the second and third year and an agreement that would end demands to outsource existing work. The union also negotiated a weekend worker program, which includes two 12-hour premium shifts over the weekend to allow for 24 hour, seven day a week production.

Production will resume tomorrow, Monday July 22.

CAW Local 973 represents approximately 700 workers at the Coca-Cola bottling facility in Brampton.

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)

For more information, please contact CAW Assistant to the President Jerry Dias (cell) 416-315-1576 or CAW Local 973 Coke plant chairperson Ryan Parson (cell) 647-407-0973