Coca-Cola Workers On Strike

Workers of Coca-Cola Bottling Company this morning began a sit down strike action over poor conditions of service. Citi Business News has learnt the workers have been wearing red armbands since last week over the issue. The workers who are mainly junior staff have vowed to continue with their action till management of the company address their grievances. The production plant unit of the company as well as the transportation department are the two arms of the company which are most affected by the strike. Workers were clad in red when Citi Business News visited the premises. The vice chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Workers� Union (ICU) local branch of Coca-Cola, Bright Boamah, told Citi Business News that management of the soft drink company had been unfair with them. He said: �What started the whole thing was when management told us that we were going to receive a 100% annual bonus and so they would give us 75% for November and then 25% would be given to us after the Christmas. � �Now the general manager is telling us that they cannot give out 25% bonus unless we exceed our February target. What does annual bonus have to do with that? � The workers have also accused the general manager of the company of mismanaging the company�s products. �This very same manager will import cola which is almost expiring and when we are not able to sell them, then they blame us,� Boamah revealed. He also accused the manager of verbally assaulting some of the workers. The workers, Boamah said, are however open to negotiations. Meanwhile, Citi Business News has learnt management is currently in a closed meeting with the union over the issue.