Frito-Lay workers end strike after winning pay increases

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Union members at the Frito-Lay factory in Topeka have approved a new contract and will return to work on Monday, ending a nearly three-week strike at the factory, union officials said.

Members of Local 218 of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Flour Mills union approved the contract on Friday. It gives all union members a 4% pay rise over two years and guarantees workers at least one day off every week, Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

More than 500 of the 850 employees represented by the union went on strike on July 5, complaining of a toxic work environment, forced overtime and a lack of pay rise.

Workers said the shifts were caused by a severe staff shortage at the plant.

Carolyn Fisher, a spokesperson for PepsiCo., The parent company of Frito-Lay, said the contract allows the company to re-bid all of its facilities, or parts thereof, once at during the two-year contract.

Labor-management committees will be formed to make recommendations on staffing and overtime and shape the recovery process.

“We are confident that if we can reset the installation, we will solve a lot of the staffing and overtime issues,” said Fisher. “We’re going to create more desirable hours, which in turn will increase retention and attraction of new employees. This is an important part of this offer.