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Nestle N.J. Instant Coffee Plant Union Workers Rally to Protect Jobs

June 22, 2023
Fate of the 75-year-old facility has yet to be determined, but union is in discussions with Nestle to attempt to save it from closure.

Union workers at a Freehold, N.J., Nestle instant coffee plant rallied to attempt to save their jobs this week, fearing the possibility that the company would shut the plant down.

More than 200 employees have been concerned about the future of the facility since hearing in May that the plant might be shuttered, according to local news reports. A Nestle spokesperson said the company was meeting with the union leadership to discuss challenges at the facility, due to the age of the plant, limited flexibility and inability to meet instant coffee demand cost-effectively, the news outlet reported.

The Freehold plant was built 75 years ago and is the only coffee production company in the country with more than 200 union workers. Nestle says the factory is outdated and production capabilities are limited because of the plant’s age.

According to reports, a final decision on the plant’s future has yet to be determined.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.

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