The Hershey strike of 2002 was the first strike of Hershey workers since 1980. During the strike the Company and the Union had strengths and weaknesses that worked for and against them. Some of the Company's strengths were that they have nineteen other plants operating and they could move production to them, they also only had two plants in Hershey PA. Some weaknesses of the company were that the public was mainly on the side of the workers, and the workers were extremely united. Some strengths of the union were their dedication to stick together and their public support. Their weaknesses were that the company had other plants and the union members had more to lose by striking than the company did. By talking to Mr. Feaser, the Chocolate Workers Local 464 Business Manager, as well as by researching the situation, I have gained an understanding of why the strike in Hershey happened and how it ended.
             Milton Hershey was born in 1857 in the town of Derry Church Pennsylvania. He only attended school until fourth grade. At the age of eighteen, he opened his own candy shop in Philadelphia. The business failed after six years. In 1886, he started a candy making business called the Lancaster Caramel Company. In 1900, Milton Hershey sold the Lancaster Caramel Company for $1 million. With the money from the sale he built the world's largest chocolate manufacturing plant. It opened in 1905. The business thrived. In 1909, with his wife, he established the Hershey Industrial School to provide education for children whose families have been disrupted. After his wife died in 1915, Milton Hershey donated his entire fortune to the school trust, about $60 million. During the Depression in the 1930's, Milton Hershey kept men working by building a grand hotel, community buildings, sports arena, new offices, and other things. Milton Hershey died October 13th, 1945 and left the company under control of the School Trust wh...