International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O'Brien weighs in on a meeting with presidential candidates, arguing that there are a lot of boxes to check and that he owes it to members to do his due diligence.
The Teamsters union appears poised to shut down work at two major beer companies simultaneously after striking at Molson Coors' Texas brewery over the weekend and warning that a new collective bargaining agreement for workers would mean the same at all U.S. breweries by Anheuser-Busch InBev will not be achieved by the end of the month.
The 420 members of Teamsters Local 997 walked off their jobs at Molson Coors' Fort Worth brewery on Saturday after the union and the company failed to reach an agreement on a new three-year contract for the workers.
Striking Molson Coors workers demonstrate outside the company's brewery on Monday, February 19, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (International Brotherhood of Teamsters/Fox News)
In a press release announcing the move, the Teamsters said Molson Coors had “presented offensive and regressive contract proposals, including offering a wage increase of less than $1 an hour to the majority of Teamsters members.”
The union said: “Local 997 is seeking salary increases that reflect the impact of inflation over the life of the expired contract, as well as the elimination of two-tier health and pension benefits.”
| ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEAT | MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE CO. | 62.14 | +0.08 | +0.13% |
When reached for comment by FOX Business on Monday, a Molson Coors spokesperson said the Teamsters had not yet responded to the company's latest offer, which they said “exceeded market prices,” but that the company remained “firm.” determined to reach a fair agreement.” to all.”
“While we respect the Union’s right to strike, we have robust contingency plans in place and are well-equipped to ensure consumers can purchase their favorite Molson Coors products,” said Adam Collins, Molson Coors Chief Communications Officer.
A beer vendor holds Coors Light and Miller Lite beer cans during a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 24, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Molson Coors produces both popular brands. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Collins added, “We began production and shipping from the Fort Worth brewery on Monday, our five other U.S. breweries have additional production capacity, and we have intentionally built up distribution inventory across the country.”
Also on Monday, the Teamsters held a drill demonstration at the Anheuser-Busch plant in Houston to prepare for a strike that, if it comes to fruition, could have far-reaching effects on the company.
AB has a single master agreement with the Teamsters for all 12 of its U.S. breweries, and that agreement expires on February 29th. The Bud Light maker's 5,000 Teamster employees voted overwhelmingly to authorize the strike in December.
The union says it is demanding a strong agreement from AB that includes job security, salary increases and improved health care and pensions for all workers.
Signs are posted as beer bottles move along the production line at the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser bottling plant in St. Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
| ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUD | ANHEUSER-BUSCH INC | 62.24 | -0.58 | -0.92% |
Anheuser-Busch did not immediately respond to FOX Business' request for an update on contract negotiations Monday, but the latest update on its website on Feb. 2 said union leadership had called off its most recent talks after canceling the previous four .
“While our goal remains to reach a timely agreement that recognizes the talent, dedication and drive of our brewery employees, we continue to implement a number of precautionary measures to ensure business continuity and continue to serve our consumers,” it said it in AB's statement. “As of March 1, Anheuser-Busch is prepared to operate our breweries and maintain beer supplies in the event of a work stoppage.”
Last month, the Teamsters warned AB that if the union's collective bargaining demands were not met, its members would not only walk out of the brewery's factories nationwide, but also trigger another boycott against the company, which is still reeling from a boycott which conservatives launched last year following Bud Light's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
“Anheuser-Busch must examine its moral compass,” Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said in a statement in January. “They ignored the workers for months. They make up excuses to avoid coming to the negotiating table.”
Charlestown, MA – April 2: Teamsters President Sean O'Brien speaks at a rally with UPS employees ahead of their national contract negotiations. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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“They take our work for granted while they pour millions into corporate advertising. This is a disgrace,” O’Brien continued. “The Teamsters are more united than ever at Anheuser-Busch, and we are prepared for an all-out strike and nationwide boycott.”