The 400 workers responsible for the production of America’s favorite marshmallow candy chicks have walked off the job.
Workers at the Just Born plant in Bethlehem, Penn., walked out of the Peeps factory Wednesday, in protest of the company’s proposals on wages, health benefits, and a plan to switch from a pension to a 401(k). The employees have been without a contract since June.
The union asserted that Just Born proposed to eliminate the pension plan in exchange for a 401(k), offered below-standard wage increases and proposed an increase in the employee’s contribution for health insurance care. The union rejected the terms, and made a counter offer that the company rejected.
The workers are members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM). They voted to strike after unanimously rejecting a contract proposal from Just Born Inc. Sept. 2.
Just Born, a family-owned company founded in 1923, started producing Peeps in 1953. When production started, it took 27 hours to create one Peep. Today, it takes just six minutes.
“The workers at the company’s Peep’s plant have devoted much of their lives to producing these iconic Just Born candies,” Hank McKay, president of BCTGM Local 6, told prnewswire. “The company has benefited from their skills and dedication through soaring profits. Workers deserve to be treated fairly with reasonable wage increases and a pension that allows them to retire with dignity.”
News of the strike may disappoint fans everywhere. Enough Peeps are produced each year to circle the Earth twice. Just Born also makes Mike and Ikes and Hot Tamales.
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