During 2011 contract negotiations, Local 812 called Coke out on its use of Southeastern Container, which operates a non-union "PET" bottle manufacturing plant in Wappinger's Falls, NY and employs up to 25 full-time employees. Local 812 demanded that Coca Cola use union labor and promised to organize the facility within the next year.
With Local 812's encouragement, Coca Cola made the right decision.
"It is unheard of in this day and age that a company like Coca Cola would close a non-union facility that pays lower wages, where employees have a 401k and pay for healthcare and move it to a union facility which has some of the highest if not the highest wages, and best non-contributory benefits in the country. This is really a proud moment for our union and its membership," said John Visconti, 812 Business Agent.
The Elmsford Sales and Production facility is home to close to 650 employees, from merchandisers, warehouse, drivers, bulk drivers, haulage, vending, dispatch, quality control, production mechanics, production line operators, maintenance, fleet mechanics and Hi-Lo operators. It is the largest Coca Cola production facility on the east coast.
Local 812 Business Agent Larry DeBellis explained, "I have worked in this facility for 35 years, I was here when it was two buildings and then when it was combined. To add this type of work to an already state of the art production facility goes to show how hard our members work to make Coke number 1. Our members take a lot of pride in the fact that we can get the job done no matter what."
"Coca Cola knows that Local 812 members are some of the best workers in the country, that's why this move makes sense. We are now making bottles at Elmsford. This is the future and we always want the work. We added good 812 union jobs with the blow mold machines," said Recording Secretary John Ulrich.
812 Shop Steward John Darbenzio added, " We not only make the product, test the product, maintain all the machines for the product, haul the product, deliver the product and merchandise the product, now we make the bottle the product goes into. All I can say is Amazing! "
