Steve Earle vs. Dr. Pepper

EARLE VS. DR. PEPPER: Grammy winner Steve Earle has stopped drinking his favorite Diet Dr. Pepper until the parent company returns to the bargaining table with its striking workers, who have been out for 11 weeks. Despite record profits, Dr. Pepper Snapple imposed a $1.50 per hour wage cut for all workers, eliminated the pension plan, decreased employer 401k contributions by 20% while increasing employee co-pays. Hey, it still beats the slave wages we get here at HITS, but at least the Dr. Pepper's free. "I'm from Texas and I've been drinking DP every day since I was 10 years old but I won't touch another drop until these folks get a fair contract," said the politically outspoken singer-songwriter. Until then, we're sticking with Coke. (8/17p)