AB InBev Narrowly Averts Teamsters Strike While Molson Coors Employees March On
Six-packs of Bud Light, Budweiser and Michelob Ultra are displayed at a liquor store, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Fairfield, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The brewing giant behind Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Budweiser has reached a tentative 5-year deal with the Teamsters, avoiding a strike that would have seen 5,000 employees walk off the job at 12 facilities across the country.
The strike — approved by 99% of Teamsters members in a December vote — was set to begin on March 1st if a new union contract wasn’t approved. Under the tentative deal, AB InBev employees have now secured wage increases, increased pension benefits, increased maximum vacation accrual, restoration of retirement benefits and improved health care coverage.
“Teamsters make the beer, Teamsters make Anheuser-Busch successful, and our members deserve the best contract. That is what we fought for and won today,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien.
“Anheuser-Busch knew our members were serious and prepared to do whatever it would take to get a fair agreement.”
According to both parties, negotiations had broken down in the months and days leading up to the deadline. On February 1st, the Teamsters publicly demanded that AB InBev executives make their “last, best, and final offer.” The stalemate lasted up until the last possible minute; Teamsters reportedly rejected a proposal as late as 4 pm on Wednesday afternoon. Hours later, a deal was ratified.
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative bargaining agreement […] that continues to recognize and reward the talent, commitment, and hard work of our employees while also positioning the company for long-term success,” said AB InBev in a statement.
(Photo: Teamsters/X)
Elsewhere, negotiations persist. On Feb 18, 420 Teamsters at the Forth Worth Molson Coors brewery walked off the job with picket signs held high. As the strike nears its second week, employees chant “No Justice, No Beer.”
“After a long day and a longer campaign, we’ve reached an agreement that sets a new high standard for the brewing industry. Teamsters continue to hold the line at Molson Coors in Texas for a fair contract, but Molson Coors should pay close attention to the bar we’ve set today for brewery workers across the country,” said O’Brien.
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