Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) Teamsters voted this week to ratify the union’s new five-year contract with the world’s largest beer manufacturer, the union announced yesterday.
The contract was approved with 86% of the vote, which began on Sunday and went on for three days. It offers “significant job security for all 5,000 Teamsters” at A-B’s 12 U.S. breweries, “including brewers, packagers and warehouse workers,” according to a press release from the Teamsters.
“In ratifying a strong new contract at Anheuser-Busch, Teamsters have clawed back concessions from earlier agreements, protected retirees and invested in their pensions, and will be taking home the higher wages we’ve fought for,” Teamsters president Sean M. O’Brien said. “It’s a significant victory for brewery workers in the United States.
“This agreement provides the same high-quality health care for all rank-and-file Teamsters and protects every member’s job,” he continued. “Cheers to the workers who stayed in the fight to win a contract that sets a new standard for everyone in the brewing industry.”
The contract, which is valid through 2029, includes an average raise of +23%, starting with a $4 per hour pay bump in its first year that increases to an additional $8 per hour over the life of the contract.
Also included are an end to a tiered healthcare system that offered different benefits to different worker groups, increased pension contributions and benefits, the restoration of retirement benefits for all members active and retired, and an increase to eight weeks of accrued vacation time. Members will receive a $2,500 ratification bonus.
A tentative deal was reached last week hours before A-B Teamsters were set to strike.
“Teamsters do incredible work in the breweries to make Anheuser-Busch successful, and under this contract, our members will share in that success,” Jeff Padellaro, director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, said in the release. “I want to thank each and every member for rallying, practice picketing, and staying united – all your efforts were instrumental to winning this record-setting agreement.”
Teamsters members are still on strike at Molson Coors’ brewery in Fort Worth, Texas. The company has tapped workers from other breweries to work during the strike.