Teamsters Reach Major New Agreement With Anheuser-Busch, Boosting Wages, Protecting Jobs

https://teamster.org/2024/02/teamsters-reach-major-new-agreement-with-anheuser-busch-boosting-wages-protecting-jobs/

2024.02.28

Tentative Agreement Reached Day Before 5,000 Brewery Teamsters Set to Strike

Press Contact: Kara Deniz Email: kdeniz@teamster.org

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters reached a five-year tentative agreement significantly raising pay, improving health care and retirement benefits, and providing critical job security for all 5,000 Teamsters at Anheuser-Busch breweries nationwide.

The tentative agreement was unanimously recommended by the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee after reconvening at the bargaining table with Anheuser-Busch representatives late in the day on Wednesday.

“Teamsters make the beer, Teamsters make Anheuser-Busch successful, and our members deserve the best contract. That is what we fought for and won today,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Anheuser-Busch knew our members were serious and prepared to do whatever it would take to get a fair agreement. After a long day and a longer campaign, we’ve reached an agreement that sets a new high standard for the brewing industry. Teamsters continue to hold the line at Molson Coors in Texas for a fair contract, but Molson Coors should pay close attention to the bar we’ve set today for brewery workers across the country.”

Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

Significant job security for all 5,000 Teamsters at Anheuser-Busch, including brewers, packagers, and warehouse workers
Wage increases of $8/hour, including an immediate $4/hour raise in the first year — average wage increases total 23 percent over the length of the agreement
$2,500 ratification bonus for every member
An end to two-tier health care, providing all workers with the same high-quality Teamsters health care coverage
Increased pension contributions and benefits nationwide
Increased maximum vacation accrual to 8 paid weeks
Restoration of retirement benefits for active and retired members

FULL story at link above.