CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Nearly 80 Chicago workers are out of a job after a South Side Pepsi facility abruptly closed on Monday morning.
Leaders with Teamsters Local 727, which represents workers at the Back of the Yards PepsiCo facility located at 650 W. 51st St., said the company informed them of the location’s immediate closure shortly before 6 a.m.
The move, which the union said violates federal law, means at least 79 workers at the facility will lose their jobs.
Teamsters officials said the lack of notice violates federal law that requires companies with more than 75 full-time employees to provide 60 days of notice regarding plant closures or mass layoffs
In its letter, PepsiCo said union workers impacted by the plant’s closure “will be paid all wages and other benefits” for 60 days and will not be required to work. Officials said the official layoffs date will be on Dec. 28, 2024.
“That Pepsi would do this to their longtime employees is disgusting,” said union leader John Coli Jr. in a statement. “They are a disgrace. The union will do everything in its power to ensure that these employees are taken care of per the union contract and the law.”
PepsiCo has not responded to WBBM’s request for comment.
Union officials said they have proposed a meeting with PepsiCo to take place on Wednesday.
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