A strike at Nestlé’s Purina pet-food manufacturing plant in the US has come to an end following the ratification of a new four-year contract by union members.
More than 450 workers affiliated with the labour union Teamsters Local 773 participated in the seven-week strike at the plant in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania.
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In a statement announcing the development, the union said the agreement with Nestlé includes “substantial” wage increases, an “expedited” grievance procedure, and enhancements to several workplace conditions.
Teamsters Local 773 president Dennis Hower said: “This much-needed boost in pay only happened because we stuck together to take on this greedy multinational corporation.
“The Teamsters will strike any company that tries to short-change us.”
Teamsters Local 773 added that the employees at the facility are responsible for producing a “significant” share of pet food for the US market.
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By GlobalDataThe union’s food processing division director Jesse Case said: “Workers need stability for themselves and their families during these uneasy times and Teamsters will fight to get it.
“If workers don’t have justice, large corporations will not have peace.”
The strike resolution comes following recent major investments in other Nestlé Purina sites in the US and the UK.
In April last year, Nestlé announced an investment of $195m to expand its pet-food processing facility in the US state of Wisconsin as a means to boost production of Purina wet pet-food brands, such as Fancy Feast, Elegant Medley, Friskies and Pro Plan, by nearly 50%.
In September 2024, Nestlé announced plans to invest £150m ($199m) in a Purina factory in the UK located in Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. The plant makes pet food under brands including Felix, Gourmet and Winalot.
Nestlé said 40 new roles would be created at the facility, which employs 600 workers.
The Swiss giant reports its first-quarter results tomorrow (24 April).
Nestlé reported sales of SFr91.4bn ($110.9bn) for the year 2024, reflecting a decline of 1.8% compared to 2023.
The PetCare division contributed SFr18.9bn, the second-largest contribution to the group after powdered and liquid beverages.
