Mott's Workers Rally for Fair Contract (6/26/10)

On Saturday, June 26, close to a thousand activists converged upon Williamson, New York, to rally in support of RWDSU Local 220 members as they continue their strike against corporate greed at Mott's. Mott's workers were joined by members and representatives from a number of unions, and elected officials who are concerned about the actions of Mott's and Dr Pepper Snapple in attempting to roll back wages and benefits at the Mott's plant.

“Thank you so much for coming out today to support us. We truly appreciate your help in our fight against the corporate giant Dr Pepper Snapple, owner of Mott’s,” said Local 220 President and striking Mott’s worker Mike LeBerth (above). “Many of us have worked for Mott’s for more than 20 years and we used to be like family here, but even since Dr Pepper Snapple Group took over its been about one thing and one thing only: corporate greed! Our employer is tough, but if we stand together we can beat this giant greedy corporation and prove that New Yorkers deserve good jobs!,” LeBerth added.

"That’s not fair, that's not right. That's not American," said Congressman Dan Maffei (above) of the way Mott’s is treating its workers. "You are fighting for the ordinary American that goes to work everyday, works hard and deserves a fair wage for it."

A complete list of speakers at the rally: Michelle Muoio (Local 220 Striker), Michael LeBerth (Local 220 President and Striker), Fr. Brian Jordan (Worker Advocate), Stuart Appelbaum (RWDSU President), Denis Hughes (President NY State AFL-CIO), Charlie Mattice (Local 220 Striker and musician), Shelly Snyder (Local 220 Striker), Pat O’Neill (Executive Vice President United Food and Commercial Workers), Jack Wurm (Secretary Treasurer RWDSU), Andrea Taylor (staff office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand), Bruce Raynor (President of Workers United; Executive Vice President Service Employees International Union), Dan Maffei (US Representative 25th District), Kathleen Rice (District Attorney for Nassau County; Candidate for New York Attorney General), Jim Bertolone (President Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation; APWU Local 215), Michael Nozzolio (New York State Senate 54th District), Michael Johnson (staff office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli), Tim and Joann Budd (Local 220 Strikers), Jeff Barry (Secretary Treasurer RWDSU Northern Joint Council, Ontario), Dave Young (IBEW Local 86), Paul Markowitz (Teamsters Local 118), Tom Gillett (NYSUT), Bruce Popper (Vice President, SEIU Local 1199), Ed McGowan (Western New York Area Director United Auto Workers), Paul Schuh (Representative Working Families Party; United Auto Workers), Ed O’Shea (Candidate New York State Senate 4th District), Matt Zeller (Candidate US Congress 29th District), Robin Wilt (New York State Senate 56th District), Michael Flanery (RWDSU Representative)