On April 20, UE Local 115 began negotiations with their employer, Refresco. This will be the second contract for Local 115, who won their first contract in 2023.
Over half of the plant filled out the initial bargaining survey. Members identified fair salaries, fair schedules, a just attendance system, and the creation of a system to accommodate workers’ scheduling needs as important for the upcoming negotiations. For the last three years, members have had to face unstable schedules and excessive mandatory overtime that has greatly affected the lives of both single and married parents.
While the union contract has meant members have received yearly raises for the first time, wages have not kept up with inflation and cost of living in New Jersey. The bargaining survey found that 94 percent of members don’t believe they are paid fairly, 77 percent of members avoid going to the doctor due to the high cost of healthcare and copays, and 74 percent of members have had difficulties paying for essential items in the past year.
The local also introduced language to bar ICE from company facilities, and indicated public and private areas of the facility. About 80 percent of Refresco’s Wharton employees are Latin American immigrants. The company said it was scared that ICE would retaliate, undertake I-9 audits, and maybe even shut down the factory. Refresco forced internal I-9 audits on employees back in 2024 which resulted in the firing of three union members and ultimately a union side letter that prevented company overreach. When pressed on what businesses had been shut down by ICE, the company said that while it hasn’t happened, it could hypothetically happen.
The Bargaining Committee consists of President Ivan Rios, Plant Chief Steward Jose Rivera, Executive Board Member Lalo ‘Abdon’ Moran, and John Mata. They are being assisted by Field Organizer Eric Cortes-Kopp.