CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Local unions and businesses came together Monday in support of Teamsters Local 175 union members who remain on strike against The Beverage Market in Kanawha County.
The marathon strike will reach its eleventh week on Tuesday. 49 members of the union went on strike May 12 against the beer distribution company. The most recent contract between the union and company expired in early May. The union has cited “unfair concessionary proposals” in support of its strike, claiming The Beverage Market is asking for significant cuts to retirement, increases to health insurance costs, and more.
West Virginia AFL-CIO, among a dozen other unions, joined the members for lunch at Sam’s Uptown Café in Charleston. According to a release from Teamsters Local 175, the business has refused service from The Beverage Market while temporary workers provide delivers in the stead of the strikers.
“Our people have been holding strong for a fair contract, but it is a long, difficult fight. Having members from all these different unions come out and stand with us has been a real morale booster,” Teamsters Local 175 President Steve Day said. “It’s a reminder of how many people in our communities understand the importance of what we’re doing.”
Teamsters Local 175 and The Beverage Market have met five times since the contract’s expiration. The Beverage Market serves 31 counties and 1,900 customers in West Virginia.
The Beverage Market has detailed its proposal earlier this month to MetroNews. The company noted that its 401(k) match — which provides anywhere from a 25-percent to 50-percent match on retirement, depending on years of service — is not changing under its proposal. Rather, the company is asking for an elimination of an additional $100-to-$125 paycheck. Additionally, the company is asking for alterations to an existing attendance policy.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said it was a no-brainer to support Teamsters Local 175 in the Capital City.
“We have a saying in the labor movement: ‘An injury to one is an injury to all,'” Sword said. “As long as The Beverage Market workers are denied a fair contract, union members will fight by their side to right this wrong.”
Teamsters Local 175 members have protested outside The Beverage Market’s warehouse in Sissonville throughout the strike.