‘There won’t be any beer come March’: US Anheuser-Busch workers threaten strike

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 17 Jan 2024 | Michael Sainato

[Salman]

Workers who make Bud Light and other top-selling beers are threatening to strike in demand of significant wage increases, job security and improvements to retirement and benefits in the first big union contract battle of 2024.

Five thousand workers, represented by the Teamsters at 12 Anheuser-Busch breweries in the US, are threatening to strike after voting 99% in favor of a strike authorization last month. Their current union contract is set to expire on 29 February.

“Without a contract by February 29, there won’t be any beer come March,” the Teamsters warned on X.

The contract fight is the first at Anheuser-Busch with the Teamsters president, Sean O’Brien, at the helm of the union. Elected in 2022, O’Brien led the union in securing record contract gain at UPS last year amid threats of a massive strike.

“If Anheuser-Busch’s executives can’t get their act together to negotiate an agreement that respects workers, we will see them out on the streets,” O’Brien said in a statement on the strike vote. According to the Teamsters, the union hasn’t met with Anheuser-Busch since 16 November, when the company refused to negotiate on job security.

...

[Salman]

More blues for Bud Light.

[V_TWIN]

There will be plenty beer.....just not AB

[mykroar]

LOL, great time to strike. bahahahahahaha

[Fido969]

In Heaven there is no beer
That’s why we drink it here.
And when we’re gone from here
Our friends will be drinking all the beer.

[bgill]

That’s a good thing.

[butlerweave]

I hate beer and never drink it

[FlingWingFlyer]

Just what Budweiser DIDN’T NEED. Their workers throwing a tantrum.

[EEGator]

Good.

[RasterMaster]

Who’d miss it....it’s all piss water.

[z3n]

No budweiser or bud light. Oh noez! The horror! /s

[FLNittany]

I would say this benefits family owned, non-union brewers.

[NorthMountain]

I fail to see how a “strike” at the Anheuser-Busch factory would have any effect on the supply of beer.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I don’t think the people who make my craft brews are represented by the Teamsters.

[ProudDeplorable]

Microbreweries will just fill in the hole. I think that would be great - I don’t have to see Bud Light advertised anymore.

[GOPJ]

“If Anheuser-Busch’s executives can’t get their act together to negotiate an agreement that respects workers, we will see them out on the streets,”

Strike and if they won't bend, get jobs at better companies.

[ridesthemiles]

ANOTHER STELLAR EXAMPLE OF THE MINDSET OF UNIONS.

[Hatteras]

I enjoyed it a little too much. Figured I have had a bit more than my fair share, so I haven’t touched a drop in 5+ years. And truthfully? I don’t miss it at all.

[Army Air Corps]

There will be plenty beer.....just not AB

Exactly. My personal favourite beer will still be on the shelves regardless of what happens at an AB brewery. I think that the same can be said for a lot of people. People will find alternatives in a competitive market.

[drSteve78]

“Budweiser, the King of Beers.”

The King is dead.

[drSteve78]

Sometimes used in cooking shrimp or crabs. 😊