Union members in south Alabama are heading back to work after suspending their strike against a soft drink bottler.
Employees of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United in Mobile, Robertsdale and Leroy, as well as in Vancleave, Mississippi, went back to work Monday, suspending a walkout that began Aug. 9.
About 275 employees at the locations are represented by the Teamsters Union. Last year, the locastions were transferred from a North Carolina-based bottler to the Birmingham-based Coca-Cola United.
The union says Coca-Cola United has been demanding new hires be paid $6 to $8 less per hour than currently required.
Teamsters Local 991 steward David Stephens tells AL.com that union members think progress is being made in negotiations, crediting the strike.
The company says talks through a mediator are continuing and it hopes to reach an agreement soon.