Management
at the Coca-Cola facility in Sylmar, CA, has gone off the deep end,
according to a press release from the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters.
It
seems that Rick Bronson, a 12-year route driver for Coke and member
of Teamsters Local 848, was fired for drinking a Pepsi.
“Coke
is really grasping at straws on this one,” said Jim Santangelo,
principal officer of Teamsters Local 848 and international vice
president. “This is nothing more than an attempt to get rid of a
pro-union employee. The Teamsters will fight every step of the way
to get Rick’s job back.”
Coke
is attempting to use a company rule that prohibits slander of the
product, the release said.
“What
is particularly ironic is the fact that the Sylmar facility uses
Arrowhead brand spring water for all employees, union and management
alike, to drink despite the fact that Arrowhead competes directly
with the Coke brand of spring water, Dasani,” the release noted.
“All
of this nonsense stems from the fact that the Teamsters have had
a lot of success in organizing Coke merchandisers in Southern California
recently,” Santangelo added. “Rick Bronson was actively involved
in those organizing campaigns, and Coke management knew it. That’s
why they are firing him, and we will not stand for it.”
Teamsters
Local 848 has filed unfair labor practice charges against Coca-Cola.
