Strike continues at Keurig Dr Pepper California site

More than 150 workers at a Keurig Dr Pepper site in California are continuing to strike over "unfair labour practices".

Employees in the production, warehouse and mechanics areas of Keurig Dr Pepper's Victorville facility have downed tools since the early hours of 5 May, the Local 896 branch of the Teamsters' union told Just Drinks.

The site is home to production of Mott's apple juice and Bia infused water beverages, among other brands.

In a statement, the Local 896 branch said workers had "been forced to strike over unfair labor practices", and were seeking "better wages, a stronger pension, and to recoup an unpaid arbitration award".

Negotiations have been ongoing between the union and Keurig Dr Pepper, with a second offer from the Canada Dry maker having been rejected over the first weekend of May.

The union told Just Drinks its members would continue to strike "as long as it takes".

It said the 7Up brand owner "has not reach reached out to have any talks about negotiations. We are ready to get back to the table but as of right now, it is up to the company how long this will go".

"KDP was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars last year after it unlawfully attempted to end its sick time policy, but these members still haven't seen a dime," Phil Cooper, secretary treasurer of the union's Local 896 branch said. "That is a blatant violation of federal law, and we will be out here every day, 24 hours a day, until KDP pays its workers what they are legally owed."

Keurig Dr Pepper did not respond to Just Drinks' request for comment at the time of writing.

Adan Soto, a forklift operator lead at Keurig Dr Pepper, added: "Instead of respect, the company stole our sick time and we're still fighting for the wages we deserve. A good contract would mean stability for my family and dignity for all of us who keep this place running. That's why we're on strike."

The news follows the end of strike at a Keurig Dr Pepper facility in Iowa last month.

More than 100 factory workers at the company's Ottumwa site returned to work on 24 April after a two week stoppage which resulted in an improved wage deal.

KDP offered a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, including a health insurance plan, guaranteed paid time off and an 8% wage increase in the first year of the contract, with additional wage increases each year thereafter, Teamsters said.

"Strike continues at Keurig Dr Pepper California site" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.