A candy strike is still serious business. Striking workers at the American Licorice Company were joined by Occupy Oakland reinforcements Monday morning to turn away delivery trucks bringing supplies to the Union City factory.
While Monday’s action remained peaceful, Union City police were on scene to keep the peace. Workers say security at the plant has grown more hostile as the strike has dragged on.
Workers walked out Dec. 5 to protest what they call unfair changes to their company health plan. They’re demanding increased wages and a rollback in company policy that instituted co-pays and deductibles in their medical insurance.
Local 125 Vice President Rene Castillo told Union City Patch the union did not endorse the support from Occupy Oakland, but had no problem accepting the support:
“We have no problem if they’re supporting us, but it’s not endorsed by us. We can’t hold them back or stop what they do.”
The first negotiation talks in the strike were held Monday, and discussion is expected to resume Tuesday to resolve the month-long work stoppage.
