After conversations with the Union, Pepsi has announced a $2 / hour wage increase that was implemented as of Monday, March 23 and pay protections if members need to self-isolate or quarantine. These items will continue for the foreseeable future.
Pepsi has supplied cleaning equipment, implemented physical distancing and hand-washing. The Union is working with them on other safety measures to keep all frontline workers safe.
“I’m pleased to see that Pepsi has introduced wages for the members on the frontline,” said Jeff Traeger, President of UFCW Local 832. “Workers who are distributing food and beverages to multiple stores are being put at risk through the interactions of multiple people each day.”
So far, Coca-Cola has increased safety-measures and pay protections similar to Pepsi, but UFCW calls on Coca Cola bottling Canada to deliver the same wages as their direct-competitor Pepsi has done.
UFCW Local 832 represents over 18,000 members working in food production, food distribution warehousing, grocery retail, hospitality, security, personal care, and assisted living.