400 workers at marshmallow Peeps plant go on strike

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — About 400 workers at the Pennsylvania plant that makes marshmallow Peeps and other candies are on strike.

Workers walked out of the Just Born plant in Bethlehem on Wednesday afternoon. The plant 60 miles north of Philadelphia also makes Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales candies.

The workers are protesting the company's proposals on wages, health benefits and switching from a pension plan to a 401(k). Employees have been working under an expired contract since June.

Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 6 voted to strike on Sept. 2 after unanimously rejecting the company's most recent contract offer.

Just Born Vice President Matt Pye tells The Allentown Morning Call (http://bit.ly/2ccjXR5) the company is committed to working with the union to reach an agreement.

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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com