‘We Are Fully Prepared to Walk’ Union Authorizes Strike Against Bud Light Owners, Anheuser-Busch If Demands Are Not Met

(Photo: Christophe Dion/Unsplash)

Union members voted to authorize a strike at Anheuser-Busch with 99 percent voting in favor of the motion. Contract negotiations are underway with the current agreement set to expire Feb. 29, 2024. The vote allows the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee to call a strike if Anheuser-Busch does not meet the demands of the union members. 

The union hopes to improve wages, project jobs, secure health care benefits and retirement benefits for its 5,000 members across 12 breweries in the U.S. 

“Teamsters stand firm in our fight for the best contract at Anheuser-Busch, and this powerful strike vote proves it. Our members’ labor, talent, and sacrifice are what put Anheuser-Busch products on the shelf, and we are committed to getting a contract that rewards and recognizes their hard work,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “If Anheuser-Busch’s executives can’t get their act together to negotiate an agreement that respects workers, we will see them out on the streets.”

Anheuser-Busch made almost 58 billion in 2022 and is set to see revenues increase again this year despite the Bud Light controversies over the past year involving conservative outrage over a partnership with a transgender influencer. Teamsters are disappointed to see recent announcements of $1 billion in stock buybacks for wealthy investors, while the company has delayed negotiations on key points for employees. 

“Anheuser-Busch can’t kick this can down the road much longer. 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,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “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.” 

Anheuser-Busch Teamsters recently rallied in New Hampshire, California, and Florida with more plans for action across the country. Currently, there has not been a date set for negotiations to take place despite the contract end date being mere months away. 

“If this company wasn’t willing to come to a fair agreement with the Teamsters, we would strike. My Teamster brothers and sisters have a lot of fight in us and, by all means, we will stand united,” said Josh Blanton, an Anheuser-Bush worker with Teamsters Local 947 in Jacksonville, Florida.

In July, Anheuser-Busch announced that it would lay off less than 2% of its workforce this year. However, brewery and warehouse employees would reportedly not be affected. Job security issues are one of the major items union members are fighting for in the new contract.

Despite the fallout surrounding Dylan Mulvaney this year, Anheuser-Busch appears to still be going strong. Whether the company’s profits will trickle down to frontline employees remains to be seen. 

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