USA, TX: Molson Coors reaches deal with workers to end Fort Worth strike

Molson Coors and 420 workers at its Fort Worth brewery are ending a three month-long strike after ratifying a new contract with the company late in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 22, the Dallas Morning News reported.

The new three-year contract includes wage increases and a better benefits package for workers and retirees, addressing the same issues workers represented by Teamsters Local 997 went on strike for back in mid-February. The specifics of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our members never gave up, they pushed back on this company until they got a fair contract that recognizes their contributions. Teamsters don’t back down from a fight and we will always fight for what we deserve,” Jeff Padellaro, director of the Teamsters brewery, bakery and soft drink conference, said in a statement.

Despite the strike, the plant’s shutdown didn’t impact supplies of Molson Coors products.

For Molson Coors, putting the strike behind them means the company can get operations in its Fort Worth plant fully back to normal. The contract should satisfy the 400-plus workers who went on strike, said Adam Collins, Molson Coors’ chief communications officer.

“We are pleased to have reached a three-year agreement with Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth,” he said. “The contract is fair and equitable to our valued team members and to our Fort Worth operations, ensuring we continue to brew, package and ship the very best beers and beverages for our customers.”

Teamsters representatives did not respond to an interview request from The Dallas Morning News at the time of publication.

Molson Coors’ workers put pressure on the company to conclude the strike by picketing outside of the facility at 7001 South Freeway every day for the past three months. During that time, only one worker walked across the picket line, said Rick Miedema, a worker at the plant and union leader.

Union representatives also previously threatened litigation against the company and forced it to look into hiring replacement workers at $25.98 an hour along with a $200 weekly attendance bonus.

The union also launched a nationwide boycott of Molson Coors products during the Final Four in Dallas and encouraged other strikes, like the one at Molson Coors’ plants in Trenton, Ohio and Albany, Georgia.

The union turned down contract offers that included low wage increases, including one in March that promised a 99-cent raise over three years. Though some strikers had to cut their monthly payments, they said they were supported by a robust union fund which could have lasted more than a year, union representatives said.

Workers said they felt frustrated as Molson Coors said 2023 was an extremely successful year for the company with an annual revenue of $11.7 billion. 2023 Sales were also up 9.4% from 2022.

Ending the strike in Fort Worth will also help Molson Coors as one of the company’s most important breweries. It’s responsible for producing and distributing popular products like Coors Light, Topo Chico hard seltzer and Simply juices. It also recently received a $65 million investment in 2022.

23 May, 2024