On Sunday, members of Teamsters Local 997 voted to strike, and on Saturday morning, they began picketing outside the Molson Coors brewery in Fort Worth.
The strike involves 420 workers at the brewery, which serves as the sole supplier for the entire Western region of the United States for major Molson Coors products like Topo Chico, Simply, Pabst, and Yuengling.
The union members are seeking a new three-year contract that includes improvements in pay, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
Jeff Pruitt, a member of Teamsters Local 997, emphasized the workers’ demand for fair compensation in a video posted by the union on X Friday, stating, “All we are asking for is our fair share. It’s not even about being rewarded; it’s something owed to us. We all work hard and need to take care of our families. We’re just fighting for our just cause.”
Despite Molson Coors Brewing Co. (TAP) reporting a fourth-quarter profit of $103.3 million on Tuesday, with revenue exceeding expectations, negotiations with the union have not yet reached a resolution.
Adam Collins, the chief communications officer of Molson Coors, stated, “While we respect the Union’s right to strike, we have strong contingency plans in place,” adding that the company remains committed to reaching a fair agreement.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced on Saturday that it will increase future strike benefits to $1,000 per week for members of Teamsters Local 997.
As picketers concluded their demonstration on Saturday, Rick Miedema, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 997, expressed determination for continued action, stating, “The labor movement is strong right now. The labor movement is hot. You saw it with UAW, with UPS. People are getting what they need. And unfortunately, it has to come to this, for us to take an employer down.”
