LATROBE, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — About 180 City Brewing employees in Latrobe did not show up for work Tuesday. Instead, they went on strike at 6 a.m. holding placards that read “fight for justice.”
“Of course there is anxiety,” said Bobby Charetti, president of IUE-CWA Local 144. “We want to get back to work. I don’t think anyone wants to be here.”
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But employees felt they had no choice but to go on strike.
“It’s very surreal to just come here today,” said Bill Palmer, president of IUE-CWA Local 22. “No one is at work and we’re outside. Work at this facility has not stopped since the early 1980s. So it’s very serious.”
Palmer and Sharetty represent workers in the production and packaging of beer. They say the striking workers will stand outside for four hours waiting for a response from the national labor relations council.
“We currently have several allegations of unfair labor practices against the company,” Palmer said. “The company does not respond to information requests and unilaterally changes the company’s policy at the plant.”
STRIKE: City Brewing Company employees in Latrobe went on strike.
Union presidents say this is due to unfair labor practices and charges have been filed against them.
About 180 union workers are on strike and will be here around the clock until the problems are resolved.@KDKA pic.twitter.com/LIrYuAxS5A
— Briana Smith (@brianasmithnews) March 15, 2022
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The unions also issued a press release in early March saying employees are fighting for fair contracts, as well as preventing management from setting 12-hour shifts and taking overtime pay. Their extended contract ended in early March.
“The stress in all of this is the hardest part,” Sharetty said. “Every time you say, ‘I’m not going to work today. I’m going to stand out on the street,” there is some anxiety here. But we hope.”
“I think at the end of the day we all want the same thing,” Palmer said. “Everyone wants to come to work, do their job and make products for our customers.”
For now, the presidents said production has stopped, but four employees remain in the building for security reasons.
This was stated by the representative of City Brewing.
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“City Brewery has worked hard for over six months to reach an agreement with the IUE-CWA for our Latrobe brewery and we remain committed to securing a strong contract for the benefit of our employees. Our latest offering included a significant pay increase for all insured employees – nearly 23% for new hires – upfront payments at contract signing, enhanced vacation savings and competitive advantages. We have met with our staff to make sure they have accurate information and we will continue to negotiate in good faith to resolve any open issues and reach an agreement.”