hode Island RWDSU Members Score 23 Percent Pension Increase in New Pepsi Contract (5/02/07)

(l to r) Local 513 members Rick Norberg, Charlie Ferguson, Sally Cotton, Carlos Alves and Dennis Beaulieu.

The 130 RWDSU Local 513 members working at Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., in Cranston, Rhode Island have a new four-year agreement that guarantees a three percent annunal wage increase and major gains in pension benefits.

"Pension benefits will be rising by 23 percent, which is huge," said Local 513 member Sally Cotton.

"People like me who are retiring soon are especially happy about this, but even the younger workers here realize how important this is for their futures," Cotton added. Other gains in the new pact include an improved vacation policy and an immediate lump-sum bonus. RWDSU Local 513 members are also a part of the New England Joint Board.