Union members say they and an Alabama soft drink distributor are supposed to meet Monday with a federal mediator in hopes of resolving a strike.

Employees of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United in Mobile, Robertsdale and Leroy, as well as in Vancleave, Mississippi, went on strike Thursday.About 275 employees at the locations are represented by the Teamsters Union.

The locations last year were transferred to Birmingham-based Coke United from a North Carolina-based bottler.

Teamsters union Local 991 steward David Stephens tells AL.com that members seek to prevent lower pay for new employees and higher insurance costs.

Coke United says it plans to maintain deliveries. Spokeswoman Linda Sewell tells WALA-TV that the company continues negotiating in good faith.

A strike at the same locations lasted nearly three weeks in 2008.
(Associated Press, copyright 2018)Sign-up now for our daily newsletter and never miss another article from Yellowhammer News.