Only six workers at the Minute Maid plant in Peterborough, Ont., have been permanently let go as the company scales back its frozen juice operations – a major drop from the many job losses that were first anticipated.
In July 2025, parent company Coca-Cola Canada announced plans to stop all frozen juice production at the Peterborough site by early 2026, pointing to “shifting consumer preferences.”
The union representing 80 employees at the facility had initially estimated that up to half of those on the production line might be laid off.
However, on Wednesday, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 175 president Kelly Tosato shared that negotiations helped significantly lower the number of job cuts to just six. The agreement will also offer “enhanced” severance packages for those impacted.
Story continues below
No transfers will happen, ensuring all staff stay in Peterborough, according to the union.
Source link
Get daily National news
Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. “The union worked hard to make sure our members received fair treatment and support throughout this layoff process,” Tosato stated. “We collaborated with the employer to utilize provisions from our collective agreement and negotiated better protections for those still employed.” This update came as Coca-Cola also announced on Wednesday that it is ending all its frozen juice concentrate products, affecting both Canadian and American markets. These products were first launched in 1946. Minute Maid’s frozen juice items will be available until April. “We are discontinuing our frozen products and exiting the frozen can category due to shifting consumer preferences,” a company statement reads. “With strong growth in the juice category, we’re concentrating on products that align better with what consumers want.” Debora De Angelis, UFCW’s director of political action, mentioned that the union won’t comment on Coca-Cola’s business choices. “Our main focus is making sure employees are treated fairly during this transition,” she said. “And we aim to minimize impact on the community of Peterborough.” The union and Coca-Cola confirmed that other Minute Maid items will continue being produced at the Peterborough facility, which expanded in 2020 with an $85-million project dedicated to producing Fairlife ultra-filtered milk. Story continues below “The great news here is we get to keep great, union jobs in Peterborough,” De Angelis said. “And we continue producing quality Canadian products.” & copy 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
