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'Go Workers': Netizens express solidarity with Hershey's workers planning to unionize at 'prison'

As many as 1,100 employees at Hershey's Chocolate plant in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, are considering unionizing after complaining of a relentless work schedule

As many as 1,100 employees at Hershey's Chocolate plant in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, are considering unionizing after complaining of a relentless work schedule in a demoralizing "prison" environment. Former employees of Hershey's spoke about the unfair labor practice charges in a video shared by More Perfect Union on Thursday, February 17. 

More Perfect Union captioned the video as, "The workers who make Reese's Peanut Butter Cups describe going to work as a stay in 'Hershey's prison'. Workers have been forced to work 70+ days straight, receive constant forced overtime, and are punished for time off. Now they’re unionizing to take back their power." 

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Hershey's employee James Gibson said, "It's known as the Hershey prison and we get home release. I've worked 33 days straight...people are going on their breaks and just not coming back and not wanting to be a part of it and leaving." Former Hershey's employee Janice Taylor recalled working 72 days without a break and allegedly being denied time off if she could not cover her shifts while she was at the plant. "I was exhausted both physically and mentally," said Taylor in the video.

Taylor continued, "Did I try to get days off? Yes. I was denied that weekend unless I got my own coverage. We were considered essential employees, So yes, the overtime was there. Yes, the overtime was forced." Taylor said that she believe she was fired for supporting the unionization effort and claimed that management had been monitoring her pro-union activities before she was asked to leave for returning from a break 14 minutes late. Taylor added, "They obviously had people or agents watching our Facebook posts or our social media."

Other workers complained of nepotism as the "tier one" employees receive significantly more pay and vacation time than others. "There's not really much room for advancement if you're not in one of the cliques [or] if you're not a family member of someone that's in power," said former employee Eve Crutchfield. Meanwhile, social media users commented on the unfair labor practices in the Hershey's plant.

One user tweeted, "As a lifelong fan of @reeses, I will not eat another cup until @Hersheys makes a reasonable agreement with their workers" using the hashtag Solidarity. "No worker should ever be subject to this sort of exploitation", wrote another. A third added, "Corporate demand on our bodies has already exceeded unsustainable levels".

"This is why unions are so important, companies, the rich, elites etc aren't interested in your wellbeing, the only way to seek a voice and ensure you have a fair deal is through unions, collective action wins", wrote a fourth user. Another user commented, "Power to the Workers!", using the hashtag Solidarity. "I haven't bought Hershey for years. Not since before TMI. Go workers!" wrote another. 

Workers at the Hershey's Stuarts Draft facility had a change in management amid the push for unionization with a new plant manager taking over earlier this month. John Price, Director of The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM) told The News Leader that the change may have been part of an anti-unionization tactic that attempts to calm displeased workers. Workers at the plant are expected to begin voting on unionizing next week, with ballots to be counted on March 24.