USA : Will strike cause shortage of Peeps?
With 400 of Just Born’s 600 employees on strike, the outlook for Peeps is uncertain. This year’s supply is safe: Halloween and Christmas Peeps have already been produced, and Halloween shipments
Just Born Package handler Debbie Harden told local newspaper The Morning Call that employees timed their strike to coincide with the beginning of Easter orders.
“So we held out [until now], because it kind of hits them the hardest,” Harden said. “They need us more than they think.”
Just Born vice president of corporate affairs Matt Pye said the company is “fully committed” to working toward a fair agreement with the union. However, Pittsburgh’s WTAE reports that Just Born has already started hiring replacement workers to meet customer demand.
“Easter is our big season; we produce for Easter year-round,” Pye told The Morning Call. “At some point, it will become a concern.”
Union workers say they’re committed to strike “as long as it takes.” Their slogan? “No pension, no Peeps.”