Philadelphia

Hundreds of Peeps Makers at Pennsylvania Plant Go on Strike

400 workers at marshmallow Peeps plant go on strike

About 400 workers at the Pennsylvania plant that makes marshmallow Peeps and other candies are on strike.

Workers walked out of the Just Born plant in Bethlehem on Wednesday afternoon. The plant 60 miles north of Philadelphia also makes Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales candies.

The workers are protesting the company's proposals on wages, health benefits and switching from a pension plan to a 401(k). Employees have been working under an expired contract since June.

Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 6 voted to strike on Sept. 2 after unanimously rejecting the company's most recent contract offer.

Just Born Vice President Matt Pye tells The Allentown Morning Call the company is committed to working with the union to reach an agreement.

"Just Born has been in business since 1923, and we care very deeply about the people we employ and welfare of our local community, said a statement from the company. "We want to sustain our business so we can continue to offer good paying jobs and be a pillar in the community for another 93 years."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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