odyssey
06-14-2003, 07:53 AM
http://images.ibsys.com/2003/0613/2269452.jpg
Coke Driver Allegedly Fired For Drinking Pepsi
Union Says Company Cited Rule Barring 'Slander' Of Product
POSTED: 12:44 p.m. PDT June 13, 2003
SYLMAR, Calif. -- Union officials were up in arms Friday after a 12-year route driver for Coke was allegedly fired after management discovered he was drinking a Pepsi.
Rick Bronson, a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 848, was fired Thursday after someone reported him to management for drinking a Pepsi, according to the union.
"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."
He said 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."
"Rick Bronson was actively involved in these organizing campaigns and Coke management knew it. That's why they are firing him, and we will not stand for it," Santangelo said.
Bob Phillips of the Coca-Cola Co. did not want to comment on the specific allegations.
"In recognition of the state's laws protecting the rights of individual privacy, we don't comment on specific terms and conditions of employment with regard to any employee," he said.
Coke fired Bronson under a company rule that bars "slander" of the product, according to the union. Phillips said the company would not resort to a pretext to fire an employee involved with the union.
"I think I can tell you that we have at this company a strict policy against retaliation and the company does not retaliate, nor do we tolerate any retaliation against employees," he said.
Teamsters Local 848 has filed unfair labor practice charges against Coca-Cola over the incident, according to the union.
Coke Driver Allegedly Fired For Drinking Pepsi
Union Says Company Cited Rule Barring 'Slander' Of Product
POSTED: 12:44 p.m. PDT June 13, 2003
SYLMAR, Calif. -- Union officials were up in arms Friday after a 12-year route driver for Coke was allegedly fired after management discovered he was drinking a Pepsi.
Rick Bronson, a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 848, was fired Thursday after someone reported him to management for drinking a Pepsi, according to the union.
"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."
He said 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."
"Rick Bronson was actively involved in these organizing campaigns and Coke management knew it. That's why they are firing him, and we will not stand for it," Santangelo said.
Bob Phillips of the Coca-Cola Co. did not want to comment on the specific allegations.
"In recognition of the state's laws protecting the rights of individual privacy, we don't comment on specific terms and conditions of employment with regard to any employee," he said.
Coke fired Bronson under a company rule that bars "slander" of the product, according to the union. Phillips said the company would not resort to a pretext to fire an employee involved with the union.
"I think I can tell you that we have at this company a strict policy against retaliation and the company does not retaliate, nor do we tolerate any retaliation against employees," he said.
Teamsters Local 848 has filed unfair labor practice charges against Coca-Cola over the incident, according to the union.