The International Brotherhood of Teamsters on April 16 hosted a conference call for Coca-Cola investors and industry analysts to warn of escalating labor unrest. David Laughton, former Coca-Cola driver and secretary-treasurer of the Coca-Cola Union's Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference, stated:
"Coca-Cola's approach to labor relations has deteriorated, leaving workers with uncertainty and low morale,” said Laughton. “The company's continued refusal to address concerns about the restructuring of their distribution system is neither efficient nor effective. Like the companies' failed plan to change its distribution system from the POWERade brand and Wal-Mart stores ... Coke and CCE's ill-conceived, short-sighted restructuring plan will likely prove costly in the end."
The Teamsters union represents more than 18,000 Coca-Cola workers in the
"As we speak," Laughton said, "Teamsters are negotiating contracts covering more than 1,000 workers across the country. And contracts covering more than 3,500 Coca-Cola workers will expire this year. By management refusing to address workers' most basic concerns of job security and affordable health care, Coke may soon precipitate widespread work stoppages with picket lines extended throughout the
