Cuomo
WILLIAMSON, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is getting involved in a strike at a Mott's plant, advising the union and the plant's owner reach a fair solution for all involved.
Both Cuomo and his running mate in this year's gubernatorial election are seeking a resolution of the 305-worker strike. Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 220 went on strike in May after the plant's owner, Dr. Pepper Snapple, sought to cut hourly wages and retirement account contributions.
"(T)he work stoppage has the potential to cause great damage to the very iimportant apple industry and the hard-working farmers in the area," Cuomo wrote to RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum.
Wayne County is the top apple-growing area in the state.
"It is of the upmost importance that Dr. Pepper Snapple comes back to the negotiating table, bargains in good faith and reaches a fair and equitable solution for the workers, the company and the state," Cuomo wrote.
Rochester mayor and lieutenant governor-hopeful Robert Duffy visited the town earlier this month.
Dr. Pepper Snapple wanted to impose a $1.50 per hour pay decrease, a 20 percent decrease in employer contributions to retirement plans and an increase in employee contributions toward health insurance.
The union represents 100,000 members in the U.S. and Canada and is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.