CAW reaches tentative deal with Coca Cola over strike in Brampton

A tentative deal has been reached to end a three-week strike at Coca-Cola in Brampton, Ont.

About 700 workers at the company’s largest Canadian bottling facility went on strike on June 27 after talks with the Canadian Auto Workers union broke down.

Pension benefits and outsourcing were the major issues in the dispute, but CAW national president Ken Lewenza says in a press release that all the key issues that forced the strike have been resolved.

The release says the bargaining committee will be “unanimously recommending” the deal.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola spokeswoman Erika Mozes says she is confident union members will ratify the agreement and looks forward to returning to normal operations.

A ratification meeting is scheduled for Friday.

“Where we are today and where we started is night and day,” said CAW spokesman Jerry Dias.

The deal is “fair and equitable for our employees, the union and our company,” Mozes said.

“The strike is not something anybody wanted,” she said. “We do look forward to returning to normal operations.”