News | Teamsters to InBev: Put promises into a contract
Labor Tribune
August 17, 2008
St. Louis — The Teamsters union, which has about 8,000 workers at Anheuser-Busch breweries around the country and about 850 in St. Louis, sent a strong message last Saturday to the brewery’s new owner, the Belgian beer company, InBev: “Put your public statements assuring support for union workers and retirees, and not closing any breweries, into a new contract.”
In fiery remarks to more than 500 Teamsters and other union allies at downtown’s Kiener Plaza, Tom Keegel, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer, said, “Union workers have made Budweiser what it is today, and we expect InBev to respect the generations of working families who made this company what it is! We’re not going to take any B.S. from them.”
The crowd listening to Keegel erupted into applause and calls of support, while tractor-trailers surrounding the plaza honked their horns in deafening approval.
In a word of caution, Paul Garver, of the International Union of Food Workers, had earlier noted that the brewing industry has changed dramatically in the last generation.
“Today there are three or four giant global breweries producing over 50 percent of the beer in the world. They don’t think and operate like the family-owned breweries we used to have. They are very powerful and they don’t keep their promises. To get what we want will require an iron-clad agreement in writing.”
Jack Cipriani, director of brewery and soft drink workers for Teamsters, said a critical component of a new contract would be keeping retirees health benefits. In recent years a growing number of companies have backed away from continuing retirees health benefits.
The Teamsters are joining the food workers in an international alliance of unions at breweries around the world.
Union leaders from Canada, Belgium and Brazil told the local Teamsters that InBev is a tough negotiator, probably tougher than what they are used to at Anheuser-Busch, which has traditionally been a union-friendly employer.
In-Bev’s top concern is investors and profits, these leaders said. Workers and communities are secondary.
Bob Soutier, president of the St. Louis Labor Council, spoke briefly. He noted that the brewery had been a great place to work for generations of St. Louis families. He called on InBev to honor that commitment.
InBev, which will become the largest brewery in the world after it completes the takeover of Anheuser Busch, has said it expects to continue existing union contracts and will continue to support community charities and other institutions. Contract negotiations with Anheuser-Busch-InBev began Monday.
Saturday’s rally followed a strategy meeting Friday among Teamsters and union leaders from North and South America and Europe who have dealt with InBev.
In addition to Teamsters, the brewery employs hundreds of building trades workers, and District 9 machinists. Teamsters Local 6 at the brewery includes bottlers, brewers, oilers, security guards and Clydesdale drivers.
August 17, 2008
St. Louis — The Teamsters union, which has about 8,000 workers at Anheuser-Busch breweries around the country and about 850 in St. Louis, sent a strong message last Saturday to the brewery’s new owner, the Belgian beer company, InBev: “Put your public statements assuring support for union workers and retirees, and not closing any breweries, into a new contract.”
In fiery remarks to more than 500 Teamsters and other union allies at downtown’s Kiener Plaza, Tom Keegel, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer, said, “Union workers have made Budweiser what it is today, and we expect InBev to respect the generations of working families who made this company what it is! We’re not going to take any B.S. from them.”
The crowd listening to Keegel erupted into applause and calls of support, while tractor-trailers surrounding the plaza honked their horns in deafening approval.
In a word of caution, Paul Garver, of the International Union of Food Workers, had earlier noted that the brewing industry has changed dramatically in the last generation.
“Today there are three or four giant global breweries producing over 50 percent of the beer in the world. They don’t think and operate like the family-owned breweries we used to have. They are very powerful and they don’t keep their promises. To get what we want will require an iron-clad agreement in writing.”
Jack Cipriani, director of brewery and soft drink workers for Teamsters, said a critical component of a new contract would be keeping retirees health benefits. In recent years a growing number of companies have backed away from continuing retirees health benefits.
The Teamsters are joining the food workers in an international alliance of unions at breweries around the world.
Union leaders from Canada, Belgium and Brazil told the local Teamsters that InBev is a tough negotiator, probably tougher than what they are used to at Anheuser-Busch, which has traditionally been a union-friendly employer.
In-Bev’s top concern is investors and profits, these leaders said. Workers and communities are secondary.
Bob Soutier, president of the St. Louis Labor Council, spoke briefly. He noted that the brewery had been a great place to work for generations of St. Louis families. He called on InBev to honor that commitment.
InBev, which will become the largest brewery in the world after it completes the takeover of Anheuser Busch, has said it expects to continue existing union contracts and will continue to support community charities and other institutions. Contract negotiations with Anheuser-Busch-InBev began Monday.
Saturday’s rally followed a strategy meeting Friday among Teamsters and union leaders from North and South America and Europe who have dealt with InBev.
In addition to Teamsters, the brewery employs hundreds of building trades workers, and District 9 machinists. Teamsters Local 6 at the brewery includes bottlers, brewers, oilers, security guards and Clydesdale drivers.
Paid for by Russ Carnahan in Congress Committee, Lawrence Giesing, Treasurer
Russ Carnahan in Congress
7000 S. Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63119
Phone: 314.752.2010 - Fax: 314.752.2019
7000 S. Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63119
Phone: 314.752.2010 - Fax: 314.752.2019