BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Just Born Inc., the maker of Peeps marshmallow candies, reached a tentative contract agreement with its workers, averting a possible strike.
The candy manufacturer and Local 6 of the Bakery, Confectionery Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union reached a tentative agreement on a three-year labor contract for the plant's 375 workers, according to a statement released Sunday.
The current contract will be extended until a union ratification vote, which is expected to happen July 23, officials said. The plant will continue normal operations.
The contract was originally set to expire June 30, but both sides agreed to extend it one week since an agreement was not reached. Workers had voted to authorize a strike, but a date was never set.
Union President Barry Fields would not disclose details of the tentative settlement.
Mark McLaughlin, vice president of supply chain and human resources for Just Born, also declined to comment on details of the agreement.
Just Born, which employs more than 600 people and also makes Peanut Chews and Mike and Ike candies, exports to more than 50 countries.
