- 58 jobs at Coca Cola's Upper Macungie syrup plant are to be cut by the end of the year because of a reorganizing effort by Coca-Cola to a third-party
- A WARN notice sent to the state Department of Labor and Industry established the number of positions affected
- Local Teamsters representatives stated they would do "everything [they] can" to assist affected workers
UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Coca-Cola is set to cut 58 jobs at its Upper Macungie syrup plant by the end of the year.
The 7551 Schantz Road facility produces various syrups for the company's drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Powerade. The plant expanded in 2019, adding 42 new jobs at the time. It has been in operation since 1997.
A federally required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, notice for the layoff of 58 jobs was sent to the state Department of Labor and Industry, effective Dec. 31 of this year.
The notice requires employers to provide notice at least 60 days in advance of a mass layoff or closing.
Teamsters 773 President Dennis Hower stated the union would be working to do "everything we can" to find opportunities and assistance for affected union workers, which he said is the majority of those impacted by the layoffs.
"They're very hardworking people. We're going to do a rapid response training, which will show them other job placement opportunities that they are eligible for.Teamsters 773 President Dennis Hower
"They're very hardworking people," Hower said. "We're going to do a rapid response training, which will show them other job placement opportunities that they are eligible for.
"We feel confident that we'll give them the opportunities to work elsewhere."
A statement from the Coca-Cola Company said that it has decided to suspend a part of operations at the Lehigh Valley plant to transfer the volume to a third-party co-packer in the area, which will result in layoffs.
"After careful consideration, The Coca-Cola Company has decided to suspend a portion of our operations at the Lehigh Valley Plant in Allentown, PA and transfer the volume to a third-party co-packer in the area," a Coca-Cola spokesperson said. "As a result, there will be employee impacts. These decisions are never made lightly, and we will offer impacted employees career support services and the opportunity to apply for other jobs within our network."
The Coca-Cola Lehigh Valley Syrup Plant is a separate company from ABARTA Coca-Cola Bottle, a third-party franchise location that operates in Bethlehem.
