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Posted: 2016-09-12T14:58:29Z | Updated: 2016-09-14T16:58:45Z

Attention all Peeps lovers: The neon-colored marshmallow birds and bunnies you decapitate every Easter may be in short supply next year.

Last week, 400 employees at the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania factory that manufactures Peeps, Mike and Ikes and Hot Tamales went on strike . Workers are protesting new wage and benefits proposals from their employer, Just Born Quality Confections .

Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 6 say Just Born proposed eliminating workers pension plans in favor of a 401(k), Philly.com reports. The company says they suggested phasing the pension plan out slowly: Just Born would continue contributing to current associates pensions, but new hires would enroll in a 401(k) plan. The union says Just Born also proposed upping employee healthcare contributions and didnt offer sufficient wage increases.

So the union workers said, Boy, bye to Just Borns offer and walked off the job.

With 400 of Just Borns 600 employees on strike, the outlook for Peeps is uncertain. This years supply is safe: Halloween and Christmas Peeps have already been produced, and Halloween shipments have already gone out. But what will happen to next years Easter supply?

Just Born Package handler Debbie Harden told local newspaper The Morning Call that employees timed their strike to coincide with the beginning of Easter orders.

So we held out [until now], because it kind of hits them the hardest, Harden said. They need us more than they think.

Just Born vice president of corporate affairs Matt Pye said the company is fully committed to working toward a fair agreement with the union. However, Pittsburghs WTAE reports that Just Born has already started hiring replacement workers to meet customer demand.

Easter is our big season; we produce for Easter year-round, Pye told The Morning Call. At some point, it will become a concern.

Union workers say theyre committed to strike as long as it takes. Their slogan? No pension, no Peeps .

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Luckily, if you do decide to stockpile Peeps in anticipation of a shortage, the gelatinous chicks and bunnies are practically indestructible. We left a package open for an entire year and the candies were still sort of edible. But heres hoping you dont have to break out dusty pumpkin spice Peeps next Easter.

This article has been updated with additional information about Just Borns 401(k) plan.

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The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

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The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

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