Cheryl wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:35 AM:I have more a question than a comment. Why doesn't Coke offer the Oceanside location the same contract that all their other plants have? I mean I live in Oceanside and the comments in the article are true, it costs just as much to live here as it does anywhere else. Lets face it were in Southern California!

brian wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:16 PM:I agree with cheryl, until they get a contract i will buy pepsi products.

John wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:30 PM:Go Oceanside employees, it is about time someone stood up to the biggest bottler in the world. I will be drinking pespi until its over!

Sabrina wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:40 PM:My husband is one of the oceanside workers that is on strike and this strike is more than needed. They get treated so unfairly!

Frank wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:11 AM:Ok so in a country with the highest unemployment rate in over 20 years these guys feel they were treated unfairly? Were they getting paid for all the time they worked? Have there been any layoffs? Guaranteed 40 hours? Please so many people out there would be happy to get just 30 hours. Lets be realistic. These guys are just being typical greedy, lazy American's. "I want, but I don't want to do anything to get it"

no coke for me wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:00 AM:I think that these guys deserve at least what they ask for. for crying out loud they are working for COKE!!! How come they cant get a 401k??? How come they dont deserve 40 hours
??? COKE IS A JOKE!!!! Pepsi for me!!!

John wrote on Jul 4, 2008 1:30 PM:About the comment Frank made. Mr. Frank these Oceanside employees are only asking for what evey other Coke Facility has. The Oceanside employess have taken Oceanside to one of the top 10 facilites in the Country!! Do you not think they deserve at least the SAME????

coke man wrote on Jul 4, 2008 4:13 PM:Nobody has to work there. If they don't like the current standards they can go elsewhere. Stop whining and just get to work. BTW.. I'm a CCE employee from PA. I don't know how much these oceanside EE's get paid, but I'm sure it's more than I do. Also I will flying to San Diego July 14 to help get coke on the store shelves. And I will be proud to do so.

Susan wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:06 PM:I'm sorry about the problems you guys at Coke in Oceanside are having, but there are a lot of people who can't find a job right now. I think you need to buck up. I just started a job with no benefits, no overtime, no vacation, no sick leave, etc., just to have a job. Btw, my husband just came home from going to three stores to find diet Dr. Pepper. He finally found it, thank god. Viva Dr. Pepper!!

Dirty One wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:42 PM:This is for coke man. I bet they do get paid more than you, i also bet that the cost of a single family home or even an apartment costs more here than in PA. Try paying a half million dollars for a run down house or close to 5 bucks for a gallon of gas. Why should Oceanside be the red headed step child of San Diego. 45 miles doesn't mean pay them less.

Hopeful wrote on Jul 5, 2008 12:01 AM:I just hope that there is no violence. I have 11 years vested with the Teamsters with another company. We went on strike when we were making almost $20 an hour, had 5 weeks of vacation time, and GREAT health benefits. The strike started out just picketing, but then people started getting stupid and things got rough. After witnessing that, I couldn't take the union any more and I left. It was closed shop. They started telling everyone that the company that we worked for was communist. (They are still going today bigger and better than ever. Their adds are shown at half-time during the Super Bowls.) Funny how after I didn't have a job anymore to pay my dues from, the union didn't want to even know me anymore. They wouldn't even return phone calls. Also, even when we were not on strike I got tired of covering routes for people that just didn't "feel" like doing that much work today and would just go home whenever they felt like it. Or wouldn't do much more than show up for work. So many started having an attitude of "they don't pay me enough to work this hard". As if they had no other reason to give their job everything they had. If you show up for work, then do it. Beleive it or not, some do not realize there are things that are more motivating than money. Also, when you are working for the other man, and especially while on the clock, the other man owns your time, not you. I also got tired of working with people that were repeatedly unsafe and careless, and jeopardized their health as well as mine, and the publics. These people should have been fired, but could not be. If I keep having wrecks that hurt other people it would be time for me to find another profession maybe. That was 20 years ago when gas was less than $1 a gallon. Now where I live gas is over $4 a gallon and headed to $5 right away, and an average home cost almost $400,000 and our drivers make several dollars an hour less than $20 an hour. There is no union here, and I will not work for one again. I just saw too many people abusing their rights. If you don't like where you work, find another job, sometimes when times get really, really hard, you have to relocate, even if you don't want to. It is not a God-given right to have a job WHERE you WANT it to be. I live over a thousand miles away from all of my immediate family because I have to work. I have NO family here except for my very young son, but there are LOTS of jobs available here where I live. I won't post my location on here of course, but I will be arriving soon for strike relief. Where I live, we have open jobs and no one even applies. Everyone has a job here that wants one, and if you don't mind working hard, I know where you can get over $20 an hour within a couple of years. With no more than a high school diploma or GED. I like working for Coca-Cola Enterprises. I have been with them for many years now, and I will never drink a Pepsi product even if I were to quit. I could make more money if I went to work for two or three other companies locally here and now. I have even worked for other bottlers of Coca-Cola, and believe me when I tell you that CCE is the gravy train compared to other bottlers. Privately held bottlers are very difficult to work for, especially if it is owned by a family. The left hand usually doesn't EVER know what the right hand is doing, just like many major corporations. Where with CCE, this is true only sometimes. There are many very important missing details here in this story and I have to confess that I do not know all of the specifics about what the exact differences are between CCE and the Union, or the employees. I am wondering how close the numbers are to meeting what the employees want, and is it all relating to hourly pay and benefits? I do hope that this gets settled soon because I cannot bring my son with me and of course I will miss him very badly. He is a miracle from God. On the other hand, maybe this is an opportunity for another change in my life, it gets very, very cold here in the winter, and it sometimes last from September through May. I hear it's nice in Southern Cal during the winter. I don't know how long this will go on, but I can tell you this: My flight to San Diego is one way. For your sake CCE employees, I hope you get what you need, healthcare is getting harder to come by and it is getting harder and harder to earn a living no matter what you do. The rich are getting richer, and the poor, well we know about that part all too well. But I am thinking that CCE is not going to budge here. Just don't throw away your job here. We are ALL expendable and replaceable. Obviously.

CCEME wrote on Jul 5, 2008 11:13 AM:FIRST OF ALL "DIRTY ONE" YES IT DOES COST MORE TO LIVE IN OCEAN SIDE THAN PA, WHO SAID YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN A BEACH FRONT COMMUNITY IN A HALF MILLION DOLLAR HOME. MY FIANCE' IS A REALESTATE AGENT AND SELLS PROPERTY IN OCEANSIDE, YOU CAN GET A 2 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE IN OCEANSIDE (AND YES YOU WOULD HAVE TO WALK TO THE BEACH, TOUGH LIFE) FOR 180,000. HOWEVER YOU COULD CERTAINLY GO SO LOW AS TO HAVE MOVE INLAND A FEW MILES TO A TOWN LIKE MURRITA AND PAY SIGNIFICANTLY LESS FOR A BRAND-NEW HOME...EVERYONE WANTS TO LIVE ON THE BEACH OR IN A MILLION DOLLAR HOME COMMUNITY, BUT YOU HAVE TO EARN IT.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT I WORK FOR CCE, AND AM NON-UNION AND AM SO ... PROUD OF IT. WE HAD A CHANCE TO GO UNION WHEN THE DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEES DID AND PASSED BECAUSE WE AS A SALES AND MANAGEMENT TEAM WORK OUR ... OFF FOR A SET SALARY. THERE IS NO OVERTIME WHEN WORK TILL 10 OR 2 AT NIGHT. THERE IS EXTRA IN MY CHECK WHEN I DRIVE TO MEETINGS IN LA OR RANCHO....OR IN THIS CASE NO EXTRA MONEY FOR ME TO COME TO OCEANSIDE AND DO YOUR WORK! WHICH BTW I WILL DO GLADLY TILL THEY FIRE YOUR ... AND HIRE PEOPLE THAT TRULEY WANT TO WORK.

WE HAVE GREAT BENEFITS, AND YOU HAD THE OPTION OF A DOUBLE RAISE TO STAY NON-UNION, AND PASSED ON IT. GREAT DECISION! NOW YOU HAVE 0.00 SALARY, AND ZERO BENEFITS.

IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO KNOW THAT SOME OF THOSE GUYS THAT BEG FOR A DAYS WORK AT LABOR READY WILL SOON BE PART OF MY TEAM AND THAT YOU WILL BE OUT.

ONE NOTE: AS A PERSON WHOSE POSITION INTERACTS DIRECTLY WITH THESE "ABUSED WORKERS" I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE LAZY, CARELESS, AND UNDEDICATED APPROACH HAS MADE MARKETING COCA-COLA IN THIS AREA A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE BECAUSE CUSTOMERS VIEW OUR SUPPLY CHAIN AND DELIVERIES AS UNRELIABLE AND INCOMPETENT. YOU DO FINISH YOUR ROUTES AND DO NOT CARE THAT PEOPLES BUSINESSES ARE AFFECTED. THIS FURTHER REDUCES CCE PROFITS AND MAKES OFFERING BETTER PAY AND WAGES IMPOSSIBLE. THANK FOR NOW ALLOW NEW, HUNGRY WORKERS A CHANCE TO BE PART OF OUR FAMILY...

DRINKCOKE wrote on Jul 5, 2008 6:54 PM:I just want to make clear that coke is not depriving these employees of 40 hours a week they are all offered 40 hours what they want is to work 30 hours and get paid for 40 hours. If we're going to discuss what is at stake lets discuss honestly.

CCE wrote on Jul 6, 2008 8:03 AM:I will be out in oceanside to help get coke on the shelves on monday and will also be proud to do it! I bet they could find thousands of people to work for coke and be happy with it, but when the union gets involved they always want more for less!

WereCirclingTheWagons wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:56 AM:So it sounds like all the CCE troops will be summonded to Oceanside for work Monday. I see a few already said they will be there and I am also on my way first thing Monday. Funny thing is, even though none of us work these positions normally, I will bet we will have the work completed on time (for once). REASON: because we are used to actually working, and also used to actually working until a job is finished, unlike the normal union positions.

Susan wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:56 AM:To Frank, Cokeman and Drinkcoke-You obviously have no clue to the facts! 1st of all, we don't want to work 30 hrs a week and get paid for 40. We just don't want Coke to pressure us to get done in 30hrs and send us home. The only persons who benefit for that are the managers who get bonuses for our productivity! To Frank, I can guarantee that you get paid more in PA, and I'm sure you don't hump 20,000 pounds of product every day to get it out to the public. Minnesota drivers are making $5.00 more/hr than we are. Does that make sense with our cost of living? It's been said several times, we're not asking for more than what other Coke employees get, just an EQUAL share which is what anyone deserves. Don't employees who make the company rank in the top 5 in the nation EVERY MONTH deserve equality?

Susan wrote on Jul 6, 2008 12:12 PM:This is going out to Frank, Cokeman, and Drinkcoke. It's obvious you don't know any FACTS. 1st of all, these guys don't get paid for 40 hrs if they work just 30. They're pressured to get their work done in 30 hrs and then go home. Frank- Do you hump 20,000 pounds of product every day? The only people who benefit from putting the pressure on them are the managers who get a nice bonus for other employees productivity! I don't call that being lazy! Cokeman-how can you say in one sentence "I don't know how much these Oceanside guys get paid, but I'M SURE it's more than I do?" You're contradicting yourself. Bring your paycheck on the 14th to see for yourself! These employees aren't asking for MORE than any other Coke employee gets, just an EQUAL share. Does anyone think that these employees don't deserve EQUALITY when they're the reason this company is in the top 5 across the NATION every month?

Cheryl wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:15 PM:I asked a question in my first coment, which I don't see anyone answering. There are comments from Sales and Managers on here with still no answer. The question was why does Coke not give the Oceanside employees the the same contract as San Diego, Rancho, Downey or LA? There not asking for more than any other Coke worker in Southern California. And if the comments are true and they are #5 in the company apparently they are doing their job. So how can you CirclingTheWagons say that the job will finally be done on time?? I think the personal attacks should be put on the shelves and focus needs to be put on the issues. After all when the strike is over you'll be working together!!!!

Jimbo wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:43 PM:Hopeful get a life, you have way to much on your mind.... Also screw the union, they are takers not givers, most of the fat cats talking you into a strike are still getting their UNION
salaries!! If you get an increase,you will NEVER make the money back you lost on strike THAT IS A FACT

victor wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:47 PM:First of all let me start by responding to the obviously un-inteligent cceme. if you had enough money to buy a clue you would not know where to locate one. You say that it is the drivers who create problems with marketing, well I am a driver for oceanside and all I here everyday from the store mngmnt. and receivers is how the sales reps are screwing everthing up. We as drivers spend a great deal of our time trying to convince the stores to take the orders that you people write, obviously without checking the in stock situation at the stores.

It also interests me that you do not have the guts to put your name out with your biased comments. Is that because when we do get our contract and get back to work you don't want anyone to know how stupid you are, well beleive this, it's obvious to everyone around you.

I will tell you this much though, when this is all over I and most of the drivers I know, who just so happen to get our routes done early, everyday, [which is why we don't always get our 40 hrs] will continue to do our best even though we are so painfully handicapped by the incompetence of too many people like you.

We do not wish to be on strike, however we can't just bend over and take a substandard contract. Why do we deserve less than every other branch in the state. If you can explain that to me I would be forever greatfull.

MR.COKE wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:07 PM:I work for Coke located in San Diego and I get sent to work in Oceanside every week. The shelves are empty and nobody is buying product. I am glad to see our fellow employees ask for a fair deal. For heaven's sake, its obvious they make a difference!! All these people are asking for is a steady FULL TIME job just like any other job offers. With benefits and equal pay. While these guys are off the supervisors are having to do all the deliveries and let me tell you, "THEY HATE IT"...Down here, we have it stable. Im part time and I always work over 40 hours a week.

Pepsi All The Way wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:18 AM:To all the Management at Coke: Your intimidation tactics obviously don't work! How dare you tell the workers they are lazy! Their laziness is what has given you your bonuses and put food on the table for your family. I bet your families have great medical or you at least have the salary to pay for it. Do you have retirement! Oh and what about your stock options given when your goals are met. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for the guy in the truck or warehouse. For all you ignorant peeople who think these people live on ocean front property, many of these people do commute from other parts of San Diego, and you will be lucky to find a decent house under $500k. To all the SCABS, obviously your ignorant about unions. When I go to the doctor I pay $10, thats it, and we have medical when we retire and a retirement! Whether you are union or not anyone who crosses the line is a slimey scab who is taking money out of another families mouth. Since jobs are so plentiful find another one! The union is here to stay at Coke Oceanside and they will be victorious. Coke has made record profits and can afford to pass some along to the little guy, to earn a decent wage and have benefits for their family. Coke management buckle up cause it is going to be a bumpy ride all the way from San Diego to LA! We will see what bonuses and profits look like then.

John wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:22 AM:Thanks for all the support guys!! To those anti-union people who feel Coke is in the right. Explain why as we speak they are spending $1000.00 aday on food for the workers and paying over a $100 a night for those workers to sleep in a hotel. I can't remember Coke buying the regular workers food on a daily basis, and I also remember duing the fires last year, Coke did not put anyone up in a room when the workers could not even get home. Get your facts straight before you start blasting the hard woring employees of Oceanside!!

PickUpMyBreakage wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:17 PM:1) The Oceanside branch is non union FOR A REASON. CCE needs to have a non union plant so that when surrounding unionized plants go on strike they're not caught with their pants down. I.e.: Oceanside can pick up the pieces from a striking Orange, Rancho, San Diego branch. Sorry guys, I don't see CCE budging on this one....they'd just be shooting themselves in the foot.

2) I hope if/when you drivers do return, you'll thank your sales rep for maintaining a positive working relationship with the various grocery outlets you abandoned.

3) Your little walk out stunt that was pulled on Wednesday my have been effective had the unionized merchandisers participated as well. It must hurt to know that it is more or less business as usual whether you are there or not.

on the way to oceanside wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:41 PM:I am in management and I am heading out to oceanside this week to help out the business, which I have no problem at all doing. I dont know anything about the pay rates for anything in oceanside or anywhere else but I am sure there are less paying jobs out there and plunty of people that would give all they have to work at coke. When this happens we all lose, but I do know that our union is always asking for more and not giving more-quick to complain but not at all ready to help out when needed. You can hold out as long as you want to and the business will still run, the only difference is you will not get a paycheck!!

John wrote on Jul 7, 2008 3:16 PM:To on the way to oceanside. Your in management right? How much do you make? Yes there are lower paying jobs out there, but are those jobs with the biggest soft drink company in the world? I don't think so!

on the way to oceanside wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:11 PM:To John.. I am making the same amount that I was last week because I am not holding out asking for more money. I do whatever the company may ask me to do and do it to the best of my ability. Can the people in the union say that? If you try to ask any, or I should say most, union employees to do something that is outside of there normal duties they call their union rep and it is a big deal, but at the same time if you go out and do it yourself they will try to file a grievance because that is a union job? Just do what is asked of you and be happy you have a job!

Also I was unaware that the merchandisers did not go on strike as well, are they making more money, or what is that situation?

gas station girl wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:30 PM:I work for a gas station in Oceanside and next week when our Coke Rep shows up to take the order, if some Scab shows up instead, or if one will be delivering the order, I WILL NOT ORDER!! Other businesses should do the same.

PickUpMyBreakage wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:16 PM:on the way to oceanside, I assume the merchandisers did not participate in the strike because Oceanside is strictly a distribution center comprised solely of drivers and warehouse workers. Still, one would have thought the teamsters would have insisted on them walking out as well to show respect or whatever.

gas station girl, do us a favor and call your rep and tell him you're not interested in an order...he/she will probably be stoked to save a step and not waste finite fuels traveling to your establishment. In reality Coke would not notice if your fine establishment dropped off the face of the earth. You should call Coke and asked to be placed on telesales...i.e. you would get to place YOUR order over the phone and not have to traumatize one of our sales associates in the flesh. Have a coke and a smile!

Stand Tall wrote on Jul 8, 2008 8:25 AM:PickUpMyBreakage and on the way to oceanside are a perfect example of the intimadation used by the company to its workers and the union is not needed? ... Unfortunately their ignorance fails to recognize the small business owners and how they are the base of the U.S. economy. To all of the Coke experts on here, merchandisers did not go on strike as Oceanside is a distribution site. Remember Oceanside is just asking for is the same as what everyone else has. How would the Management like it if the San Diego managers made significantly more than Oceanside with the same results? Oceanside has been a success and it has something to do with the Distribution Worker! These are hard working people whether they are union or not. Coke can afford to give Oceanside the same as San Diego and get on with their business.

cce wrote on Jul 8, 2008 9:29 AM:I am a little confused here.. are the merchandisers all out of san diego then? I work at a distribution only facility and we have numerous merchandisers along with truck drivers and warehouse workers--same is true with all of the other locations in the state.

Also as I noticed in a statement above, if you are paying 500K for a "run down" home you are getting ripped off. I dont believe that one at all!!

coke man wrote on Jul 8, 2008 6:50 PM:I am in management at CCE, I know for a fact there are folks who hold the same position as me, making more money. and of course some make less. Here are some things I can do about that...complaint in hopes I get a raise....look for another job...deal with it. However if I simply refuse to do my job....I WILL BE FIRED. These folks in San Diego also have these same options. Nobody forces anybody to work for a certain company. If the payscale is that unfair go somewhere else to work. Companies like coke will eventually wake up. But to simply refuse to work when you are expected to a job....well....There are 1000's of other people who will take your jobs if you do not want them. See you at oceanside Monday....

Desert Valley wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:15 AM:To address a few things mentioned and to bring some truth to a blog filled with trash talking, that is busting at the seams with misinformation, and oozing with contempt prior to any real investigation.

First I must address the most glaring of the nonsense-filled comments listed above. It states that Coke is thriving financially and surely can pay the money that the union is asking...well without providing a full economics lesson, I will just say this. If you remove the union, "market forces" would dictate what your job is worth...this is capitalism at its finest, and if you don’t like that type of market system, maybe look in Asia or Eastern Europe for some socialist system that more aligns itself with your ideas and values. Here in the USA we are a capitalist economy based on supply and demand. Sometimes people, products, or services are worth more than at other times, and therefore the price gets set BY THE MARKET. Why should you be the exception to the entire US economy, and get to dictate what your wage is? How many people really think they should not get paid more? Do you think I thought I deserved more when I had to arise at 2:00 am and drive 2 hours from Palm Desert to do someone’s job other than my own? Of course I did, but the difference between you and I is that I am part of a team, a company, an organization that works well when all the cogs do their part.

As for coke paying to place people in hotels to accomplish the jobs you should be doing. It is great! You made a vital mistake by allowing Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. to plan for 11 months a way to cover for this obvious lack of dedication, and total egocentric team that has nestled itself into a really superfluous location. Obviously for many decades there was no Oceanside branch, and we all seem to have a coke in-hand, on-demand.

Now some facts: The union workers are provided the opportunity to get 40 hours a week but if they finish their routes early are simply asked to do routine maintenance for the remaining time to get their 40 hours. Should you be paid while you way at home for 25% of their total weekly pay if just “handed” to them..

Yes as a salaried managerial (low-level) position, I spent the last two days as follows: I woke at 2 am to arrive in Oceanside at 5:00 am, and provided the assistance that was needed, and was dismissed to return home at 1 or two that day. But while doing your jobs, I also was handling my job, which was to bring in new businesses to coke that provide you SOMEONE to supply. So although I left my house at 2 am and would have arrived home at 3 pm, I decided to stop by two locations and signed another contract to our business unit. It took an extra hour and a half and certainly would not have been expected, but with the companies and the economy not doing as well as we would have liked, I felt like it was the right thing to do. ITS CALLED PRIDE IN DOING A GOOD JOB! I AM GUESSING IT SOUNDS FORGEIN TO YOU AND THAT YOU MAY NEED TO HAVE IT TRANSLATED. To finish the two day period I just completed I followed the 16 hour day with a 13.5 hour day today. Did I get a red cent more? NO, did I ask or try to manipulate the system to get it? No….so why should you or would you. Why should you set the pay rate? If your skills are so valued and are “one of a kind” then why not hop on career builder and grab another higher paying job?

You know come to think of it, while I was a new employee, I was asked to spend several days with each type of position in the company to get a full understanding of how “it all worked”. I gladly offered help, stacking, unstacking and a whole lot more, but your ridiculous union rules forbid me from touching a case. How silly is a union that says let one guy break his balls while another person is there that can help?

As for dedication shown by our other union workers, at other location besides Oceanside: THERE IS NONE! I will tell you that we loose approximately one in three customers that have already agreed to buy our product and already have agreed to take on our coolers or vending units? Why? Because somewhere between the account opening and the product or unit getting delivered, there is this insane behavior by our drivers that tell them that despite having already driven up to two hours from their warehouse, and being within 10-15 miles of the destination,, that at 2:00 or 2:30 pm, they “don’t have time for that delivery and it gets pushed back, sometimes several times until the customer finely says forget it…”I can build one from raw materials faster, or just call your competition”. Now this is not to say ALL of the union worker approach things in this matter but it is a fact they, as a whole, possess this less than satisfactory approach that dominates and permeates in all areas of our business.

WHEN YOU WALK INTO A CUSTOMER YOU HAVE NEVER MET, AND ALL THEY CAN DO IS SCREAM AT YOU (A SALES REP THEY HAVE NEVER MET) THAT IT TOOK OVER THREE WEEKS AND DAILY CALLS TO HAVE A SIMPLE VENDING UNIT PICK UP, GOD KNOWS THE REPUTATION WE ONCE ENJOYED AS A COMPANY THAT “TAKES CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES and customers ” NOW BECOMES THE REPUTATION OF A COMPANY WHO REALLY DOES NOT CARE IN THE LEAST BIT ABOUT THE CUSTOMER.

Frank wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:06 AM:The Union and employees need to continue to work during this issue. The employees will never gain back the lost wages . I have seen this happen and in the end CCE will continue operations and services for ever how long it will take and the employees will end up crossing the line or try to find other work....I'll be out Sunday to support CCE.

CCEME wrote on Jul 9, 2008 7:42 AM:To address a few things mentioned and to bring some truth to a blog filled with trash talking, that is busting at the seams with misinformation, and oozing with contempt prior to any real investigation.

First I must address the most glaring of the nonsense-filled comments listed above. It states that Coke is thriving financially and surely can pay the money that the union is asking...well without providing a full economics lesson, I will just say this. If you remove the union, "market forces" would dictate what your job is worth...this is capitalism at its finest, and if you don’t like that type of market system, maybe look in Asia or Eastern Europe for some socialist system that more aligns itself with your ideas and values. Here in the USA we are a capitalist economy based on supply and demand. Sometimes people, products, or services are worth more than at other times, and therefore the price gets set BY THE MARKET. Why should you be the exception to the entire US economy, and get to dictate what your wage is? How many people really think they should not get paid more? Do you think I thought I deserved more when I had to arise at 2:00 am and drive 2 hours from Palm Desert to do someone’s job other than my own? Of course I did, but the difference between you and I is that I am part of a team, a company, an organization that works well when all the cogs do their part.

As for coke paying to place people in hotels to accomplish the jobs you should be doing. It is great! You made a vital mistake by allowing Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. to plan for 11 months a way to cover for this obvious lack of dedication, and total egocentric team that has nestled itself into a really superfluous location. Obviously for many decades there was no Oceanside branch, and we all seem to have a coke in-hand, on-demand.

Now some facts: The union workers are provided the opportunity to get 40 hours a week but if they finish their routes early are simply asked to do routine maintenance for the remaining time to get their 40 hours. Should you be paid while you way at home for 25% of their total weekly pay if just “handed” to them..

Yes as a salaried managerial (low-level) position, I spent the last two days as follows: I woke at 2 am to arrive in Oceanside at 5:00 am, and provided the assistance that was needed, and was dismissed to return home at 1 or two that day. But while doing your jobs, I also was handling my job, which was to bring in new businesses to coke that provide you SOMEONE to supply. So although I left my house at 2 am and would have arrived home at 3 pm, I decided to stop by two locations and signed another contract to our business unit. It took an extra hour and a half and certainly would not have been expected, but with the companies and the economy not doing as well as we would have liked, I felt like it was the right thing to do. ITS CALLED PRIDE IN DOING A GOOD JOB! I AM GUESSING IT SOUNDS FORGEIN TO YOU AND THAT YOU MAY NEED TO HAVE IT TRANSLATED. To finish the two day period I just completed I followed the 16 hour day with a 13.5 hour day today. Did I get a red cent more? NO, did I ask or try to manipulate the system to get it? No….so why should you or would you. Why should you set the pay rate? If your skills are so valued and are “one of a kind” then why not hop on career builder and grab another higher paying job?

You know come to think of it, while I was a new employee, I was asked to spend several days with each type of position in the company to get a full understanding of how “it all worked”. I gladly offered help, stacking, unstacking and a whole lot more, but your ridiculous union rules forbid me from touching a case. How silly is a union that says let one guy break his balls while another person is there that can help?

As for dedication shown by our other union workers, at other location besides Oceanside: THERE IS NONE! I will tell you that we loose approximately one in three customers that have already agreed to buy our product and already have agreed to take on our coolers or vending units? Why? Because somewhere between the account opening and the product or unit getting delivered, there is this insane behavior by our drivers that tell them that despite having already driven up to two hours from their warehouse, and being within 10-15 miles of the destination,, that at 2:00 or 2:30 pm, they “don’t have time for that delivery and it gets pushed back, sometimes several times until the customer finely says forget it…”I can build one from raw materials faster, or just call your competition”. Now this is not to say ALL of the union worker approach things in this matter but it is a fact they, as a whole, possess this less than satisfactory approach that dominates and permeates in all areas of our business.

WHEN YOU WALK INTO A CUSTOMER YOU HAVE NEVER MET, AND ALL THEY CAN DO IS SCREAM AT YOU (A SALES REP THEY HAVE NEVER MET) THAT IT TOOK OVER THREE WEEKS AND DAILY CALLS TO HAVE A SIMPLE VENDING UNIT PICK UP, GOD KNOWS THE REPUTATION WE ONCE ENJOYED AS A COMPANY THAT “TAKES CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES and customers ” NOW BECOMES THE REPUTATION OF A COMPANY WHO REALLY DOES NOT CARE IN THE LEAST BIT ABOUT THE CUSTOMER.

CCEME wrote on Jul 9, 2008 7:53 AM:To John: Coca-Cola spending money to put people up in hotels to provide a way to still serve it's customers, while not being manipulated and strong armed, is exactly what a good company should do.

As far as your arguement about them having the money to do that (pay for hotels), but not the money to pay you your exorbitant demands...it seems to
parallel your decision to spend your time, money, and finite natural resources (gas) to follow the Coca Cola managers trucks around while they make their deliveries. You must not be hurting to bad financially to take a week off from work and pour 4-5 dollars/gallon into your own personal cars and follow the trucks around for absolutely no purpose.

Union No wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:45 AM:Here go the unions once again slitting their own throats. Strike your butts off but when your jobs are south of the boarder you'll be singing a different tune and cursing the unions who tell you sheep what to do and think. In tough economic times employers and employees need to be flexible.

I'm going out to stock up on Coke right now and I don't even drink the stuff.

Dale wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:24 PM:Wow,I can't believe the crap i'am reading.I work for CCE in WA and i'am Union.Union's are for working class people and if my shop was not Union i would not work for CCE.I take much pride in my work ethic and it sickens me to read the crap that you salesman are saying.We as the workers that build and ship your orders,that you constantly get wrong or over pack store room floors for the sake of bonuses still do our jobs to the best of our ability.UNION or NON UNION you will have bad workers,just like bad salesman and mngt.Stop the bashing, people need to be able to survive.Try to understand where the other side is coming from and not criticize them for wanting to make a decent living.They will be back and you will have to work with UNION not SCAB workers.

Just trying to be equal wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:28 PM:On June 27, 2008, AP reported that E. Neville Isdell CEO of The Coca Cola Co. was the number 2 top earner at a company in the consumer staple sector next to Lee Scott of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The Oceanside employees are not asking to be the highest earners. They are just looking to be equal.

John wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:57 PM:Wow, the person who reads these before they get posted. It seems you don't let alot of the pro-union stuff thru. The last one I posted you did not let thru and other workers have said the same. Why is that?

brian wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:51 AM:1000's of people want these good union jobs, but only 10 out of 1000 can handle the job!

rick wrote on Jul 10, 2008 3:03 AM:I work for coke of san diego, and I didnt cross the picket lines on tuesday and wensday. And as of wensday july 9th we have 10 trucks full of returns to put away. Thanks to all those workers from pittsburg and denver.

ThisStrikeIsKillingSalesmenMorale wrote on Jul 10, 2008 5:52 PM:I guess the interesting question will be whether or not coke's management decides to pay out bonuses to the salesmen even though they didn't hit their projected numbers this quarter (as a result of the strike). I.e.: provide compensation to those that put in extra hours in the warehouse/deliveries (duties far outside the guidelines of the job description) after completing their sales routes. If management does not take the strike in to consideration when it comes time for bonuses....you may see some salesmen walk off the job. You heard it here first.

BlueMeenie wrote on Jul 10, 2008 5:58 PM:This strike has made it literally impossible to hit sales goals. If management does not pay the sales force despite not hitting the projected numbers things could get ugly.

CokeDrinker wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:52 PM:Be thankful you still have a job. There are people out there that are being laid off left and right and I am sure that they will be happy to replace all the Oceanside emplyees on strike. I don't think these people are getting paid and no benefits. What about your mortage? rent? or if you or member of your family get sick? Will the Teamsters support you while you are on strike. Just think about all the people that are dying of hunger, specially the pigmies of new guinee.

cokefan wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:54 PM:All I have to say is this: 4 warehouse jobs posted for Coke oside when the summer hire started. 700 applications came in for those jobs.

Doubt It wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:04 AM:It sure is different when other people are affected by Coke. If they are union members they are lazy whiners, but if they are salesmen or management it is a different story. Doubt you will get your bonus, unless you are the CEO who really needs the bonus. The saga continues the rich get richer because of the workers on the bottom and it is never enough. I would really like to see if Management is going to give you bonuses, like they are going to take food or money away from their families. We are greatful to have jobs and just want the same as the other locations. The strike is continuing simply because of Coke's greed not the employees, we are not millionaires nor are we trying to be. We just want what Coke has already given to the surrounding locations. We could have already been back to work but CCE continues to manipulate the system and their workers.

cce driver wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:47 PM:I have been an employee of cce for over 8 and a half years why do i deserve less at this plant than any other plant all the salesmen that are doing my job why doseit take 4 or 5 of you to do the job of one driver why is that tell me that lets end it and send all the sales people home give me a afir contract

Question for Coke Managers wrote on Jul 11, 2008 3:59 PM:Why is a company like Coke even playing into this strike? Google online and it talks over and over on many sites about people trying desperatly to be hired by Coke. Why not just fire those who refuse to work and give the jobs to those who want to work?

CCE vs IBT wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:36 PM:As a warehouse manager I can tell you that I have yet to come across a good employee because they belong to a union. I have, however, come across dozens of bad employees who were enabled, empowered and protected to continue with their subpar-to-poor performance by unions. Unions do not make good business partners because at the end of the day they are a business as well. And it's bad business to lose "paying members" ;).

I have worked with numerous great employees in a union environment, who absolutely hate the union because it screws good empolyees. I cannot tell you how many times more senior members of a warehouse team have played their "seniority" card to get out of work, pass the buck or half a$$ it to have other hard working employees pick up the slack.

American's wonder why their jobs are shipped to other countries! Because a company would good fantastic quality work for far less money and far less whinning. People in other countries VALUE their jobs and take pride in the way they do their work. Those charecteristics, although not totally abscent, are severly lacking in the average American worker.

Good workers DO NOT NEED UNIONS...

Doubt It wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:38 PM:By CCE vs IBT goes to show the type of arrogant views on why the union is needed and empowers people to seek them. The strike in Oceanside has nothing do with job performance or they would have been fired long before the union was voted in. By Oceanside asking for the same package the other plants have makes them all the sudden lazy? People in other companies work for pennies and are starving they would sell and do ANYTHING to have a cup of rice. This is the U.S. everyone should be treated equal and have the same rights. It seems that you dislike the American worker not the Union worker and should move to China where you can seek a promising career :) As a manager it seems as though you do not like people to be empowered or protected, but instead your victim of daily scrutiny and abuse.

CCE vs IBT wrote on Jul 12, 2008 1:42 AM:"Doubt It" equality is subjective. Just because Oceanside employees reside in So-Cal doesn't mean they're entitled to the same wages that other facilities pay their employees. Look at the competition, for example. Pepsi runs a number of different plants in So-cal and they all run different wage rates for warehouse employees although it's the same work (And 4 out of the 5 plants are union by the way)! Asking for equal pay just because you happen to be located in a certain geographical area is ignorant and unreasonable. Market forces are the main drivers behind how wages, prices and pay rates are set and they dictate whether a job is worth a certain value.

I have nothing against the American worker since I'm one myself. Taking a sincere look at ones flaws and pointing out opportunities that need to be addressed in order to put this country back on the right track is the duty of every American that takes pride in their country.

And oh by the way. Stop with the whole "equal" pipe dream. This is a capital market. You want an equal market, where wages are the same and profits and losses are shared? Go work in a communist or socialist country where what you're asking for is available.