NY State Comptroller DiNapoli Joins Mott's Workers on Picket Line

[Omaha Steve]

Source: RWDSU

Today NY State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli joined striking workers on the picket line in Williamson, NY. Comptroller Di Napoli is the Trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, which is valued at $126 Billion--$33.2 million of which is Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) shares.

"What's happening here concerns me as an investor. A company that doesn't show respect for its workers is a company at risk of not sustaining profitability," DiNapoli said.

"I'm inspired by all of you, and, I will use whatever leverage I have to make this corporation do right by you," DiNapoli added.

In April, before the strike began, Comptroller DiNapoli wrote to Dr Pepper Snapple Group CEO Larry Young, asking them to reconsider their aggressive and “contentious” approach to bargaining. As the comptroller said in his letter, “…such unresolved labor issues can negatively affect the morale and productivity of the Company’s dedicated employees. A disenfranchised work force and the associated negative publicity ultimately impact profitability.”

Read more: http://www.rwdsu.info/en/archives/8/ny-state-comptroller-dinapoli-joins-motts-workers-picket-line-81010.html

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(left to right) Mott's worker Tim Budd, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and Mott's worker Bruce Beal.

[Earth_First]

1. Apple grower's to cross Mott's picket

A spokeswoman for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union, Local 220, said striking workers won't give the growers a hard time, explaining that Mott's policies are issue.
"We wouldn't plan any disruptions. We respect all working people and the jobs they have to do," said union spokeswoman Carolyn Daly. "This is about the company and the way they are treating the workers and the way they are highly profitable."

Because of the hot, sunny summer, New York's 27-million-bushel apple crop is starting to ripen. About one-third of the crop is typically processed by Mott's. For apples grown in western New York, the Mott's share grows to about one-half.

"When apples are ripe," Allen said, "they have to be harvested, and growers will be delivering this year's apple crop to the Mott's plant as usual."

Peter Gregg, a spokesman for the association, said growers must retrieve their wooden crates, which are stored at the plant, and fill them with the ripening apples. Then they'll drive them back to the plant, where Mott's weighs and inspects the apples before paying the farmers and putting the apples in cold storage.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100804/BUSINESS/8040344/Apple-growers-to-cross-Mott-s-picket

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. I won't be buying any of their products. Vote with your dollars.