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UK Coca-Cola Workers on Strike

Posted to the IUF website 26-Jul-2007

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Workers at the Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) Wakefield plant in the UK walked off the job today to launch a 48-hour strike. CCE workers at Wakefield, organized in the Amicus section of Unite, have been refusing overtime since July 24. A second strike is scheduled for August 13-14. Coca-Cola workers at the CCE Milton Keynes plant, represented by the GMB, plan to join the strike on July 27.

The strike actions are a response to the company's refusal to negotiate an improved pay offer. CCE's proposed 2.5% increase in wages, packaged with partial cuts in overtime compensation rates and worker bonuses, represents a pay cut in real terms for staff.

Workers at both sites overwhelmingly voted for industrial action on July 6. The strike, coming in the summer peak season, will affect supplies of Coca-Cola, Oasis, Dr. Pepper, Sprite and other CCE products sold at retail outlets, supermarkets, vending machines, pubs and hotels.

Wakefield is one of the world's largest bottling and distribution centers, producing 6,000 cans and 1,650 bottles of Coca-Cola products every minute with 580 workers. Milton Keynes, which counts 215 workers operating eight production lines, is the CCE's second largest UK producer. CCE is the world's largest Coca-Cola bottler, with operations is North America, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco and the Netherlands.

The IUF and its European organization EFFAT are coordinating support for the UK action among affiliates with membership in Coca-Cola.