Coca-Cola workers go on strike in Lower Mainland
An ice-cold Coke on a hot summer day may soon mean a trip outside the Lower Mainland, after Coca-Cola workers went on strike earlier this week.
At noon Monday, 370 members of Teamsters Local 213 working at Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada facilities in Richmond, Coquitlam, Chilliwack and the Sunshine Coast went on strike, after negotiations with their employer failed to come up with a new collective agreement following the expiration of a six-year contract on April 3.
Lower Mainland businesses are now bracing for a Coke drought as employees form picket lines.
Jim Loyst, business agent for Teamsters Local 213, declined to get into specifics of the union’s negotiations with Coca-Cola but said one of the key issues was returning security to a health and welfare program in their collective agreement.
“At the end, (Coca-Cola) did make some slight movement, however, it wasn’t agreeable to what we wanted,” Loyst said.
Loyst said Coca-Cola then sought changes to their pension plan to which the union and membership didn’t agree.
Drivers, merchandisers and warehouse and production personnel are among those affected. Loyst said the strike could potentially affect any Lower Mainland business serving bottled or syrup products such as Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid juice, Dasani water and Monster Energy drinks — particularly large restaurants.
He said it’s hard to tell how long the strike will last. “We want the employer to come back to the bargaining table, give us a call,” he said. “We’re more than willing to meet because we feel what we’re asking for isn’t extreme.”
In an emailed statement, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada said that while the company would have preferred to reach a deal, it respects the union’s right to strike.
“We hope the union respects our obligation to continue to meet our customer needs during the strike, which at this time is our primary focus,” the statement said.
“Comprehensive contingency planning has been underway for months to address this possibility and we are continuing to service our customers.”
The statement said Coca-Cola is also prepared to return to the bargaining table.
Meanwhile, some local businesses are wary of a pending shortage.
Zahid Mahmood, owner of Hasty Market and Snack Land on Main Street in Vancouver, said he hasn’t yet been updated by his supplier, but said he’s already had trouble ordering some Coca-Cola products, particularly bottles of Dasani.
Mahmood, who imports hard-to-find sodas from around the globe, said Coca-Cola products are top-sellers.
“Everyone likes Coca-Cola,” he said. “We don’t know if this (will) go longer so maybe we don’t get it anymore.”
Other businesses aren’t reporting issues yet.
Peter Kokinis, owner of Moderne Burger in Kitsilano, said he’s been able to order Coca-Cola products directly using the company’s ordering hotline.
“Movie lovers, fret not,” said Cineplex spokeswoman Sarah Van Lange. Van Lange said Cineplex works with a third-party distributor, so Coca-Cola products will remain stocked at its 24 theatres in B.C.