Philadelphia Teamsters Denounce Destructive Soda Tax During City Hall Rally

(PHILADELPHIA) – Hundreds of Teamsters that deliver soda and other beverages to locations across the metro region were joined by supporters from both business and the community at City Hall today to protest the destructive soda tax that Mayor Michael Nutter is attempting to levy on the over-taxed citizens of Philadelphia.

If enacted by the city council, the Sweetened Beverage Tax will cost jobs and hurt businesses in Philadelphia. Beverage industry studies show that when soda prices rise 10 percent, sales drop 8-9 percent. This would impact the entire industry – manufacturing, delivery and retail.

“The passage of the tax would jeopardize the financial livelihoods of many hard-working families,” said Danny Grace, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 830 in Philadelphia. “This is not just about the thousands of Teamsters who will stand to lose their jobs if any form of this tax is passed, but also small retailers, their employees and workers in our restaurant and food service industries.”

Teamsters Local 830 represents 2,200 Philadelphia members in the soft drink and brewery industry. The mayor is pushing the tax through under the guise that it is part of the solution to the city’s budgetary struggles. However, the economic impact of this tax on the beverage industry cannot be ignored.

“We are willing to help Mayor Nutter and the city council explore other options and do our part to be part of the solution to Philly’s budget deficits,” Grace said. “But this tax is senseless and the mayor is rushing to make major policy changes without the input from the stakeholders.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.Teamster.org.