2021 Frito-Lay strike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2021 Frito-Lay strike |
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| Date | July 5–23, 2021 | ||
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Topeka, Kansas, United States
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| Methods | Demonstrations, internet activism, walkout | ||
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The 2021 Frito-Lay strike was when workers at the Frito-Lay factory in Topeka, Kansas stopped working. They were protesting the company's rules about working extra hours. This worker protest, called a labor strike, started on July 5, 2021. It ended a few weeks later on July 23, 2021.
Contents
What Led to the Strike?
Frito-Lay has an agreement with a group called Local 218. This group is part of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM). This union represents about 600 workers at the Topeka factory.
Every two years, Frito-Lay and the union talk about worker pay and conditions. They try to agree on a new contract. In 2021, they could not agree. The workers did not like the new contract the union leaders suggested. Because of this, the workers decided to stop working and go on strike.
The Strike Begins
The strike started on July 5, 2021. Around 600 members of the BCTGM union's Local 218 chapter joined in. This was about 80% of all the workers at the Topeka Frito-Lay plant.
This was the first time this union local went on strike since 1973. The workers had several reasons for striking. They said they were working very long days, sometimes 12 hours. They also worked up to 7 days a week because of mandatory overtime.
Workers also felt their pay had not increased much in 15 years. The new contract offered only a small pay raise. Some union members said their pay had gone up by only 77 cents per hour in 12 years. The strike ended on July 23, 2021. The workers got a new contract. It guaranteed them at least one day off each week. However, mandatory overtime was still part of the rules.
How People Reacted
Frito-Lay's View
Frito-Lay said they had not done anything wrong. They believed the strike was because union leaders were not listening to their employees. The company said they did not plan to talk with the union anymore. Frito-Lay focused on keeping the factory running. They had a plan to keep workers safe. They also welcomed any employees who wanted to keep working.
Support from Other Groups
The Kansas City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America supported the strike. They helped raise money for the striking workers.
Support from Other Unions
Members from other unions also helped. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Industrial Workers of the World joined the BCTGM workers. They helped by providing food and money. The Heartland IWW chapter had also helped raise money during earlier contract talks in March 2021.
What Happened Because of the Strike?
Because of the strike, many stores in the Kansas City area had a shortage of chips. This happened within five days of the strike starting.
