On a 257-114 vote Monday night, members of Teamsters Local 792 approved a new two-year contract with Pepsi Bottling Corp., ending a 78-day strike.
The settlement also means an end to a boycott of Pepsi products that was honored by many people across the state.
The key part of the settlement was an improvement in pension benefits. The 440 Pepsi workers, like their counterparts employed at Coca-Cola, will now be able at age 55 after 30 years of service. Previously, Pepsi workers had to wait until age 62, a hardship for them after enduring years of physical labor.
Wage increases in the new pact are 45 cents per hour in each of the two years, said Larry Yoswa, secretary-treasurer of Local 792. No improvements were made in health benefits, he said.
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On a 257-114 vote Monday night, members of Teamsters Local 792 approved a new two-year contract with Pepsi Bottling Corp., ending a 78-day strike.
The settlement also means an end to a boycott of Pepsi products that was honored by many people across the state.
The key part of the settlement was an improvement in pension benefits. The 440 Pepsi workers, like their counterparts employed at Coca-Cola, will now be able at age 55 after 30 years of service. Previously, Pepsi workers had to wait until age 62, a hardship for them after enduring years of physical labor.
Wage increases in the new pact are 45 cents per hour in each of the two years, said Larry Yoswa, secretary-treasurer of Local 792. No improvements were made in health benefits, he said.