Mott's Workers Tell Their Story on Day 1 of the RWDSU Convention (8/2/10)

As the RWDSU Convention kicked off on Monday, it was the story of striking RWDSU Local 220 members, fighting against the poster child for corporate greed, Mott’s and Dr Pepper Snapple, that struck the greatest emotional chord of the day. A group of Mott’s workers (above) made the trip from Williamson, New York, to make one thing clear: though life on the picket lines has created one sacrifice after another, thanks to their resolve and the support of the entire RWDSU, it’s one day longer, one day stronger.

Thirteen-year Mott’s worker Jeff Thomas touched on the hardships created by their strike, and how it is only strengthening their resolve to win.
“When the creditors are calling for their money...or one of us is worried about how they are going to send their kids to college...what do we do? We think about the support we are getting from this union, and how you are going to help us win this war against corporate greed!”

The roar of the crowd let the the Mott’s workers know they are not alone.

Standing Up For Working People

While Mott’s has captured the attention and the support of the entire union, the first day of the convention showed that the RWDSU is a union that can take on many fights for justice at once. From defeating the creation of a poverty wage center in the Bronx, to saving jobs in Selma, Alabama, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said it best in his report to the convention:

“We are a union of activists - a union ready and willing to stand up and take on the challenges of the day.  We are a union that is fearless in the face of injustice, a union that is driven by the most basic of convictions -that working people deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity,”Appelbaum said.

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum

RWDSU Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wurm