CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A labor dispute in West Virginia recently passed the 100-day mark.
Members of Teamsters Local 175 remain on strike against The Beverage Market.
The union members hit the picket line near Sissonville in Kanawha County on May 12. Most of the striking workers are drivers who deliver Coors, Miller, and Modello beer to stores and bars across 30 West Virginia counties.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said the striking workers are maintaining their energy.
“And they are still ready to meet and negotiate a fair and reasonable contract,” Sword told MetroNews Thursday. “The problem is the other side of the table has not taken this seriously, sadly, but we’re going to keep fighting and supporting our members over there so they can get a fair contract for themselves and their families.”
Health insurance and retirement benefits have been big sticking points. There have been claims by the union of bad faith negotiations. Previous statements from The Beverage Market have said the pay tops $100,000 and the health insurance has been very affordable.
There are currently replacement drivers.
Sword said being on strike for more than 100 days is tough but it’s a battle worth fighting.
“That’s a long time. When you get to this point of a strike, I can only imagine the thoughts the workers there are having, but look, they are so good about standing up and making sure the picket line is manned and they are communicating with the right people in the community,” Sword said.
The support from what have been Beverage Market customers. who are now not buying the products from the company, has been tremendous, Sword said.
“Small businesses, not just here in Charleston, Kanawha County, close to where the strike is but throughout the counties they serve,” Sword said. “There’s an event this Sunday up in Fayette County in support of these workers who are really being cheated out of an opportunity to negotiate fair working conditions. It’s really sad.”
Sword said it’s that support that has fueled the picket line.
“The community support we’ve seen for this strike has been remarkable and I think those are the kind of things that help keep those workers, the momentum and the energy and the desire to keep this fight up,” Sword said. “And they are going to do it and, fingers-crossed, they are going to win.”