Coca-Cola, union reach tentative deal; end three-week strike
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
About 700 unionized employees from Brampton, Ont., facility have been on strike since June 27
TORONTO—The union representing workers at a Coca-Cola bottling facility near Toronto says the two sides have hashed out a tentative deal, potentially ending a three-week strike.
According to the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, a collective agreement with Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada was agreed upon early July 18.
About 700 unionized employees from the drink maker’s Brampton, Ont., bottling facility have been on strike since June 27.
The CAW said the bargaining committee will be unanimously recommending the agreement at a ratification meeting scheduled for July 19.
“This has been a difficult time for our bargaining committee as well as our members out on the picket line,” CAW national president Ken Lewenza said in a statement.
“We knew that this agreement would impact other Coke workers across the country and we fought back against serious concessions put forward by the employer.”
While details surrounding what led to the strike action have been scarce, CAW Local 973 plant chairperson Ryan Parson said early on that it was about safety and working conditions.
All the key issues that forced the strike have been resolved, Lewenza said, releasing little more.
Full details of the new agreement are set to be released after members vote, according to the union.
