Beer Giant Announces Record Profits, Offers Workers Less Than a Dollar in New Wages

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(WASHINGTON) — Members of Teamsters Local 997 at Molson Coors in Fort Worth, Texas, were forced to strike today over the company’s disgusting pay package and complete unwillingness to reach a fair agreement with workers. Teamsters walked off the job after Molson Coors failed to come to terms on a new three-year contract that respects the 420 workers who make, package, and warehouse the company’s beer and beverage brands.

The strike shuts down production at the only brewery that services the entire Western region of the United States with major Molson Coors products.

Despite having months to negotiate, Molson Coors presented insulting and regressive contract proposals, including offering less than a $1 per hour wage increase for the majority of Teamsters members. Local 997 is seeking pay raises that reflect the impact of inflation over the term of the expired contract and the elimination of two-tiered health care and retirement benefits.

The union filed numerous unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board over the company’s bad faith bargaining.

“As long as the profits keep flowing to the top, Molson Coors doesn’t give a damn if the workers inside its breweries can afford to take care of their families. They put pennies on the table for the workers behind these products. They want to strip working families of their health care. The greed and abuse from Molson Coors must end now,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Executives shamelessly brag to investors about the company’s incredible growth and historic earnings. Millions go to the CEO, billions go to Wall Street, and a middle finger goes to the workers. We’re not taking the disrespect, we’re not accepting the crumbs, and we’re not making concessions. The Teamsters are taking this fight to the streets, and we will hold the line until our members get what they have earned.”

Molson Coors announced this week that the company’s year-end 2023 earnings were its highest in 19 years. The company spent more than $50 million on advertising in the fourth quarter. Molson Coors reported making six years’ worth of profit growth in 2023 alone. Last October, the company announced a $2 billion stock buyback for wealthy shareholders.

“Molson Coors put itself on strike by taking for granted the Teamsters who keep the beer flowing and the brewery operating. Workers are fed up with the corporate elite who keep all the profits for themselves and expect the people doing the real work to make the sacrifices. Our members are not afraid to withhold their labor. The taps at Molson Coors will run dry until workers get a contract with the pay and workplace conditions they deserve,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference.

On Feb. 8, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it increased strike benefits to $1,000 per week for members of Local 997 fighting for a new contract at Molson Coors in Fort Worth.

Rank-and-file Teamsters produce Coors Light, Topo Chico, Simply, Pabst, and Yuengling, among other Molson Coors beverage brands.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

 

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We are off to a strong start in 2024, despite the cold temperatures. 

On Saturday, January 13th, we had our Monthly Membership Meeting with a good number of Members in person and on Zoom.  Special guest speaker was workers' compensation attorney Lyndon Helton.  Lyndon gave a good overview of the basics of workers' compensation in North Carolina and answered detailed questions from our Members. 

For the first time ever, UPS employees enjoyed a paid holiday on Monday, January 15th and had the day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  We recognize Dr. King's legacy of fighting for equality for all people.  

https://teamster.org/2024/01/teamsters-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-s-struggle-for-civil-rights-workers-rights/

https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history/teamsters-and-civil-rights/

Thank you to the Veterans who have served our country so bravely.  We appreciate you and your service to this country more than we can express.  A special shoutout to our Teamster Veterans.  We have many retired and reserve military men and women working hard across all of our industries, in all of our workplaces, every single day.  At our monthly meeting, we had several in attendance.  Thank you to everyone who came out on your Saturday to attend the monthly meeting and see the IBT Organizing Departments training session. Thank you to David & Dennis for coming out this month to help us with our internal organizing.  They visited our UPS Asheville & Hickory centers and signed up several new members for Local 61.

NORTH CAROLINA UPS TEAMSTER STEWARDS FOCUS ON CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT, INTERNAL ORGANIZING                                                   

On Saturday, November 11th, the Teamsters Organizing Department hosted an Internal Organizing Training for Local 61 UPS shop stewards in Asheville, North Carolina. Following the ratification of the historic new contract at UPS, the Organizing Department has continued its internal organizing program with a focus on contract enforcement and signing up non-members in Right to Work states.

Growing the Teamster membership at UPS is critical to building rank-and-file strength and enforcing the new contract. Any local unions that are interested in partnering with the Teamsters Organizing Department to conduct UPS internal organizing trainings can use the link below to sign up for more information: https://teamster.org/building-ups-membership/

Magnet Me Up American Flag Veteran Ribbon Magnet Decal, 3.5x7 In, Vinyl Automotive Magnet

 

 

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Local 61 was proud to be a part of the 115th Annual Canton Labor Day parade again this year.  We were joined on our float by members from several of our locations and their families.  It was inspiring to see the turnout from the community after such a hard year for the town of Canton.  After the recent closure of the towns paper mill, Evergreen, which opened over a century ago and employed thousands of workers over the years. 

'This year with the mill closed, the parade felt a little different.  It was quite emotional,' President Mark Greene stated. 'We have always been proud to be a part of the oldest Labor Day parade in the South.'

To see more photos and read more about this historic parade, click the following link from the Asheville Citizen Times article: 

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/09/04/canton-celebrates-115th-labor-day-parade/70721669007/

#HaywoodStrong

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Canton Labor Day Parade 2023

NC State AFL-CIO’s 66th Annual Convention Brings Labor Solidarity To Asheville

The in-person event brought together nearly 275 labor union activists and leaders to educate and inspire North Carolina workers to keep up historic levels of union organizing!

“Ain’t no mountain high enough, no corporation big enough, and no politician powerful enough to stop us from moving forward until there’s justice and shared prosperity for us all!”

RALEIGH, NC – For the 66th year in a row, hundreds of North Carolina union members and leaders, community organizers, and elected officials came together at the Annual Convention of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 7th and 8th in Asheville, to say, “Ain’t no mountain high enough” to stop working people from organizing and mobilizing because life truly is better in a union. 

See photos of the 66th Annual Convention on DropEvent.com

With public approval of unions and union organizing victories both at historic levels, the day and a half convention brought together nearly 275 labor leaders and activist members from across North Carolina for inspirational speeches, panel discussions, and rallies all focused on building the labor movement and the solidarity support needed to meet the moment. 

Speakers in attendance included: 

  • North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
  • AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond 
  • National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo 

“Now is our time,” said NC State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan. “We have an incredible opportunity to change workers’ lives and our nation for the better. Together there ain’t no mountain high enough, no corporation big enough, and no politician powerful enough to stop us from organizing and moving forward until there’s justice and shared prosperity for all of us!”

On Thursday morning, National Nurses United executive director Bonnie Castillo kicked things off with an impassioned defense of union organizing to protect patients and working people alike. “Our oath to care for patients doesn’t stop at the hospital wall! We’ll continue to fight for meaningful change and to organize in the South!”

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Local 61 President Mark Greene was invited to speak at an event to bring awareness on workers' rights & health care justice on September 7th, 2023 at Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville.  This event was held at the end of day one of an annual two day event hosted by the North Carolina AFL-CIO.  The AFL-CIO chose to host their 66th Annual Convention in Asheville this year.  Local 61 was represented by Delegates; Brothers Blake Honeycutt, Shawn Kennedy, Thomas Lupton and Lee Player.  Thank you to our delegates for representing Local 61 at this event. 

You can read more on this event and browse more photos at the following link: https://aflcionc.org/66th-annual-convention-brings-labor-solidarity-to-asheville/

Secretary-Treasurer, Brian Ball served on the UPS National Negotiating Committee and said the following; "I am extremely proud of the Members in our Local Union.  Our Local produced one of the highest turnout percentages in the nation.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for their future and to stand up for what they believe in."

Business Agent Tommy Pintacuda served on the Atlantic Area Supplement Negotiating Committee said the following; "Our shop stewards put their all into informing our members on what this contract holds for their future and encouraging voter turnout. We have a histortic contract with increased wages and pensions plus new language that helps protect the jobs of all our Members."

The 2023-2028 UPS Contract and Atlantic Area Supplement voting results are in for Local 61.  Below are the official numbers.

RECORD VOTER TURNOUT IN LOCAL 61 - 84.7%

Local Tentative Agreement Yes Yes % No No % Total
61 UPS Teamsters National Master Tentative Agreement 829 87.54 118 12.46 947
61 Atlantic Area Supplemental Tentative Agreement 780 82.8 162 17.2 942

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