Former Coca Cola Employees in Venezuela Announce Possible Occupation of Plant

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB9YF2HLEE.html

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Former Coca-Cola Co. employees in Venezuela are threatening to occupy a local facility to demand severance pay, the state-run news agency reported.

Jose Chirinos, a lawmaker from central Carabobo state who spoke to the ABN media outlet on behalf of the former workers late Saturday, said that an assembly of roughly 4,000 former employees would consider the proposal at an Oct. 29 meeting. He did not say when or why the workers were laid off.

"Through a trick ... (the company) hasn't paid thousands of workers what they are owed," Chirinos said.

Company representatives could not be reached for comment.

The U.S.-based company owns four bottling units and 34 distribution centers in Venezuela. Chirinos said ex-employees will consider occupying company facilities in Valencia, an industrial city located roughly 110 kilometers (65 miles) west of Caracas.

Chirinos said a delegation from Venezuela's National Assembly, which is investigating the labor dispute, would attend the assembly. He added that Coca-Cola could avoid a possible conflict by meeting the workers' demands.