CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Around 50 members of the Teamsters Local 175 union who work for The Beverage Market in the Capital City report no progress in contract negotiations that resumed Friday.
The workers went on strike May 12, citing unfair labor practices from the company. The previous contract between the union and The Beverage Market expired at the beginning of May.
A statement from the Local 175 workers Saturday claimed The Beverage Market is continuing to “demand concessions” and “provide zero reasons for its punitive behavior.”
Therefore, the union said, the workers remain on strike.
Local 175 has said that The Beverage Market is asking for financial concessions from its employees related to wages, insurance, and retirement. Teamsters Local 175 claimed the company is asking for these concessions while not actually experiencing financial trouble.
Teamsters Local 175 President Steve Day reported frustrations coming out of Friday’s negotiations.
“The Company has claimed in the media that it did not give a final offer and had more room to negotiate but did not show any of that today, even though the Union has shown significant movement since the strike began,” Day said.
Meanwhile, Teamsters Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer Luke Farley directed blame at The Beverage Market ownership.
“Theresa and Martin Johnson, the owners of The Beverage Market, are not taking these negotiations seriously but this is people’s livelihoods and how they support their families,” Farley said. “They didn’t even have the decency or respect to be present at the bargaining table. West Virginians should not allow these two people from Kentucky to destroy good local jobs.”
The Beverage Market distributes products such as Miller, Coors, Modelo and Red Bull to 30 counties in the state.