SISSONVILLE, W.Va. — Beer distribution company The Beverage Market said it wants to continue negotiations “in good faith” with striking workers involved in the current dispute between the company and the Teamsters Local 175 union.
The current contract between the company and the union expired in early May. 49 workers at The Beverage Market began their strike May 12, and have been on the picket line ever since. Union members have said the company is asking for “unfair concessionary proposals” related to wages, insurance, and retirement.
The Beverage Market provided a statement to MetroNews about the situation.
“We respect the rights of our employees to engage in collective bargaining and lawful strike activity, and we remain committed to negotiating in good faith toward an agreement that supports both our workforce and the long-term future of the company,” the statement read. “As public discussions regarding these negotiations continue, we believe it is important to provide additional context regarding the fair contract we are trying to reach with the Teamsters Local 175 Union.”
The striking workers and Teamsters Local 175 held a community event last Sunday in Sissonville to raise awareness about the dispute. Striking workers accused The Beverage Market ownership of “pure greed” with their current proposals at the bargaining table.
The Beverage Market’s statement described the contract that expired May 1.
“Under the current collective bargaining agreement, employees contribute $25/week toward family health insurance including medical, dental and vision coverage. Company records show that bargaining unit employees earn between approximately $51,000 and $120,000 annually depending on job classification with the average driver salary of $111,653, representing 30% of the bargaining unit,” the statement continued.
“The company has also invested in employee development and advancement by funding up front CDL Class A training for employees seeking to expand their skills and qualifications. Employees who completed the program became eligible for higher-paying driving positions, with some increasing their annual earnings by more than $15,000 within the same year,” the statement added.
The Beverage Market distributes products such as Modelo, Coors, and Miller to 31 counties and 1,900 customers in West Virginia.
“We remain committed to constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and a good-faith effort to reach an agreement that supports our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve,” the statement concluded.