More than 450 Teamsters have ratified a new four-year agreement with Nestle Purina PetCare, ending a nearly two-month strike at the company’s South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania plant.
Members of Teamsters Local 773 approved the contract, which includes significant wage increases, an expedited grievance procedure, and other workplace improvements, according to union officials.
“This much-needed boost in pay only happened because we stuck together to take on this greedy multinational corporation,” said Dennis Hower, president of Teamsters Local 773. “The Teamsters will strike any company that tries to short-change us.”
The workers, who produce a substantial portion of the nation’s pet food supply, had been on strike for seven weeks at the facility operated by the country’s largest pet food manufacturer. Nestle Purina reportedly generated nearly $21 billion in revenue last year.
Union representatives highlighted the importance of collective action in securing better terms for workers at the profitable company.
“Workers need stability for themselves and their families during these uneasy times and Teamsters will fight to get it,” said Jesse Case, director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “If workers don’t have justice, large corporations will not have peace.”
Plant workers expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their labor action.
“I’m proud of my brothers and sisters who held strong in solidarity during this strike,” said Dwayne Switzer, a Nestle Purina worker and Local 773 member. “We put Nestle on notice that we won’t accept a lackluster contract — not now and not in the future.”
Teamsters Local 773 represents workers across various industries throughout Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley region.
