Teamsters Secure Victory in Strike Against Nestlé Purina, Ending Five-Week Work Stoppage
A five-week strike by Teamsters Local 628 at Nestlé Purina’s Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania plant has officially ended following the ratification of a new labor agreement. The contract, approved overwhelmingly by union members on Wednesday, delivers significant gains in wages, health care protections, and job security for approximately 240 workers at the pet food manufacturing facility.
The strike, which began on April 5, centered on issues related to stagnant wages, high out-of-pocket health care costs, and concerns over potential outsourcing of union jobs. According to the Teamsters, the new four-year agreement addresses each of these matters, securing robust economic protections and preserving critical bargaining unit positions.
Under the new contract, workers will receive substantial wage increases and maintain their current health care benefits without additional cost burden. The agreement also strengthens language that safeguards union positions from being outsourced—an increasingly pertinent issue across the FMCG sector as companies seek efficiencies amidst tightening margins.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien pointed to the result as indicative of growing union momentum in the consumer goods industry, stating, “Nestlé thought its wealth and power could crush these workers and their unity, but Local 628 proved them wrong.”
Nestlé Purina, one of the largest pet food producers in North America, experienced disrupted operations at the Mechanicsburg facility during the work stoppage. The plant is a key part of Purina’s supply chain in the region, which has faced heightened demand as pet ownership continues to rise and consumers place increasing importance on premium pet nutrition.
This labor development arrives at a time when major FMCG manufacturers are contending with increased union activity, particularly in logistics and plant operations. With labor costs and supply chain stability top of mind for brand managers and strategic planners, the outcome of this strike may set a precedent for future union negotiations.
As operations resume at full capacity, attention will now focus on how Nestlé Purina navigates the post-strike environment while maintaining momentum in the competitive pet food category. The agreement may also carry broader implications for labor discussions across production sites as workforce expectations shift amid ongoing economic pressures.