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Minute Maid Layoffs 2026: Severance & Next Steps
Synopsis
Minute Maid is cutting jobs at its Peterborough facility as Coca-Cola exits frozen juice. This guide covers severance, union support, transfers, and your next career move.
Minute Maid is cutting jobs at its Peterborough facility as Coca-Cola exits frozen juice. This guide covers severance, union support, transfers, and your next career move.
The Minute Maid layoffs 2026 affect a small number of workers, but those six permanent job losses come with an enhanced severance package negotiated by UFCW Local 175.
In July 2025, Minute Maid notified UFCW Local 175 that 38 production line employees at its Peterborough, Ontario facility would face layoffs. Thanks to union negotiations, only six workers were permanently affected, with 32 others transferred to another facility. If you're one of the workers impacted, this guide explains what happened, what you're entitled to, and how to move forward.
Coca-Cola announced in January 2026 that it would discontinue its entire frozen juice concentrate line in both Canada and the United States. This decision affects Minute Maid, Fruitopia, and Five Alive products. The Peterborough facility, which has operated since 1948 and once produced nearly 95% of all Minute Maid products sold in Canada, is directly impacted.
What triggered these layoffs:
Who is affected:
Peterborough has faced several major job losses in 2025, including Siemens Canada and Lufthansa InTouch closures. A regional task force has been formed to support affected workers and attract new employers.
If you're one of the six permanently laid-off workers, here's what to do right now.
Confirm your status with the union
Contact UFCW Local 175 directly to confirm whether you're among the six permanent layoffs or the 32 being transferred. The union has been actively involved in this process and can clarify your specific situation.
Review your severance package
The union negotiated an enhanced severance package for the six affected workers. Before signing anything:
Document everything
Apply for Employment Insurance
You can apply for EI as soon as you stop working. In Ontario, you'll need:
Apply online at canada.ca/ei or call 1-800-206-7218.
Don't wait for your ROE to arrive. You can apply for EI up to four weeks before your last day of work. Service Canada can access your ROE electronically in most cases.
As a unionized worker, your severance is governed by your collective agreement. However, understanding Ontario's baseline rules helps you evaluate what you're being offered.
Ontario Employment Standards Act minimums:
For employees with 5+ years of service at an employer with a payroll over $2.5 million (which includes Coca-Cola):
What "enhanced severance" typically includes:
Unionized employees are covered by their collective agreement, which may differ from ESA minimums. UFCW Local 175 has already negotiated your severance terms. Contact your union rep before accepting or rejecting any offer.
Benefits continuation:
Ask specifically about:
Production line experience at a major beverage manufacturer translates well to other industries. Here's how to position yourself.
Industries actively hiring in Ontario:
Skills that transfer directly:
How to describe your experience:
Avoid Minute Maid-specific jargon. Instead of "ran the concentrate line," say "operated high-speed production equipment in a food-grade manufacturing environment."
Many Minute Maid employees have 10, 15, or 20+ years of service. That tenure demonstrates reliability, which employers value. Lead with your years of consistent employment in your resume summary.
Target employers in the region:
Union resources:
UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represent over 70,000 workers across Ontario. They may offer:
Government programs:
Ontario has announced retraining programs for affected workers in the Peterborough region. Contact:
Regional task force:
Peterborough's political leaders have formed a task force to address job losses in the region. MPP Dave Smith's office can direct you to available support programs.
Mental health support:
Job loss is stressful. Free resources include:
The regional task force is actively working to attract new employers to take over closed facilities. Stay connected with local employment services, as new opportunities may emerge in the coming months.
After years at the same employer, translating your experience for external job applications can feel awkward. Company-specific terminology doesn't mean much to outside recruiters, and production roles often go under-described on resumes.
Yotru's resume builder helps manufacturing workers create resumes that highlight transferable skills and pass applicant tracking systems. The platform guides you through describing your experience in language that resonates with hiring managers across industries.
How Yotru helps laid-off manufacturing workers:
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Employability Systems & Applied Research
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
We build career tools informed by years working in workforce development, employability programs, and education technology. We work with training providers and workforce organizations to create practical tools for employment and retraining programs—combining labor market insights with real-world application to support effective career development. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Minute Maid is closing its Peterborough, Ontario plant in 2026 as part of a restructuring by Coca‑Cola, resulting in job losses for local employees.
This article is written for unionized production workers at Minute Maid's Peterborough facility affected by the February 2026 layoffs. It provides practical guidance for navigating severance negotiations, understanding union support, and transitioning to new employment.
Yotru content prioritizes accuracy, neutrality, and evidence-based guidance. All factual claims are verified against union statements, reputable reporting, and authoritative sources. Articles are updated as new information becomes available.
This article draws on publicly available reporting about Coca-Cola's frozen juice discontinuation, UFCW Local 175 press releases, Ontario government employment standards resources, and Yotru's applied research on job search strategy for manufacturing professionals.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or career advice. Unionized employees should consult their union representative regarding specific severance terms and collective agreement provisions. Individual outcomes depend on personal circumstances, seniority, and negotiated terms.
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