American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
(Courtesy International Brotherhood of Teamsters )
On Dec 7th the Teamsters union voted to authorized a strike against Anheuser-Busch, a company still feeling the impact of its brief, but costly partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, an action that could potentially bring the nation’s largest brewer to its knees.
The initial Dylan Mulvaney announcement took place on April 1 and in spite of Anheuser-Busch’s many efforts to put the matter to bed, the brand has been experiencing serious sales declines ever since then.
And now 99% of the teamster that work at Anheuser-Busch have authorized a protentional strike scheduled for February 29th.
So who are the teamsters anyway?
The Teamsters are the nation’s largest, most diverse union. Founded in 1903, the Teamsters began as a merger of the two leading team driver associations. They are known as the champions of freight drivers and warehouse workers, and have the kind of clout that could that bring the primary distribution of the company’s large family of beers to a screeching halt if there’s not some kind agreement reached before their current agreement expires at the end of February.
The union is seeking an agreement that improves wages, protects jobs, and secures health care and retirement benefits for 5,000 Teamsters across the company’s 12 US breweries.
Under pressure from the Teamsters, the company reached tentative agreements to end tiered health care and restore retiree health benefits last month. However, Anheuser-Busch has delayed negotiating on important job security issues since mid-November, according to the union.
The global beermaker pulled in $58 billion in 2022. The company also recently announced $1 billion in stock buybacks to wealthy investors as it simultaneously ignores the need to protect good jobs.
“Anheuser-Busch can’t kick this can down the road much longer, ,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference…
“The Teamsters don’t want to be forced onto the picket line at any employer, but we are fully prepared to walk if Anheuser-Busch doesn’t get serious about negotiating a record contract that also protects good union jobs.
“It is the workers, the dedicated and tireless members of the Teamsters, who make this company a success and who have earned to share in that success,” Padellaro added.
There are no dates currently set for negotiations. Anheuser-Busch Teamsters recently rallied in New Hampshire, California, and Florida. More actions will take place soon across the country
So the hits keep on coming at Anheuser-Busch, a company just ending one of the worst years in its long and considerable history.
###
2023 has been a brutal year for Anheuser-Busch…
BUD LIGHT STRUGGLES WHILE MOLSON COORS BEERS ON THE RISE
ANHEUSER-BUSCH CHIEF MARKETING EXEC EXITS IN WAKE OF BUD LIGHT BEER TRANS DISASTER
