Boycott Dr. Pepper Snapple

Some stuff just makes me want to scream. Literally. My wife has to often ask what's wrong with me, since I start reading stuff on the web and the stupidity and/or greed of people provokes angry and loud outbursts of frustration . . . but enough about me.

The latest news that has raised my blood-pressure and brought me closer to a heart-attack is about Mott's Apple Juice.

It all started with an email from Massachusetts Jobs with Justice that announced the labor dispute and asked people to boycott (more on this later).

Then I read this article that connected the struggle to the wider labor movement, in particular teachers' unions, which makes sense. The article goes on to critique a certain segment of the left, pro-corporate liberals (do these folks count as left?).

The example the author cites is this article. And this is what got me so angry: 1) that Dr. Pepper Snapple is defending their wage cuts not on the fact that they are struggling to maintain profit (which might be excusable - hard to pay the workers if you don't have any money), but rather on the fact that other companies are struggling and paying their workers less. This is a bullshit argument - if you have the money, pay your workers. I then got doubly angry at the author of this one for writing, "both sides are right." What? The only interpretation that makes the company right is one that views this issue through the lens of an economist and puts profits over people - which is a morally compromised interpretation.

What can you do about this situation? Support the workers by boycotting the following products (heck - if you want, you can even think about how it will impact you: the higher workers' wages, the more they buy, the better the overall economy!):

• Mott’s Apple Sauce
• Hawaiian Punch
• Margaritaville
• Mr. and Mrs. T Products
• Rose’s Lime Juice
• Snapple cans
• Mott’s Fruitsations
• Mott’s Garden Cocktail
• ReaLemon/ReaLime
• Holland House