US –
A potential nationwide strike at Anheuser-Busch has been averted after the Teamsters union and the brewing giant reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday. The deal, which is subject to ratification by union members, includes significant wage increases, improved benefits, and job security measures.
Key Points of the Agreement:
- Wage Increases: The contract calls for an $8 per hour raise over the five-year term, with an immediate increase of $4 per hour.
- Bonuses: A $2,500 ratification bonus will be offered to all workers.
- Benefits: The deal includes an end to two-tier healthcare, providing all employees with the same coverage, along with increased pension contributions and benefits, and an increased maximum vacation accrual to eight weeks.
- Job Security: The agreement guarantees significant job security for all 5,000 Teamster members at Anheuser-Busch breweries nationwide.
Teamster Perspective:
The Teamsters Union is celebrating the agreement, highlighting it as a major win for brewery workers across the country. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien pointed to the deal as a “bar” for other breweries, referencing the ongoing strike at Molson Coors in Texas.
Anheuser-Busch Perspective:
Anheuser-Busch emphasized the agreement’s focus on employee well-being and long-term company success. CEO Brendan Whitworth praised the deal as a continued investment in their “greatest strength” – their employees.
Next Steps:
The agreement awaits ratification by the 5,000 union members, with a vote expected next week. While the breakdown of the workforce into truck drivers and warehouse employees is unavailable, the union emphasized the deal’s benefits for all workers, including brewers, packagers, and warehouse personnel.
This agreement signifies a positive outcome for both parties, avoiding a nationwide strike and providing substantial benefits for Teamsters members at Anheuser-Busch.
