Teamsters Approve New Contracts At MillerCoors Breweries

Teamsters at MillerCoors breweries in Eden, N.C., and Fort Worth, Texas, have ratified new, three-year contracts. The agreements cover more than 900 employees at the two breweries and provide wage and pension increases over the three-year contracts.

“Our members overwhelmingly ratified these contracts at MillerCoors because they provide stability for their families,” said Jack Cipriani, Director of the Teamsters Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference and International Vice President. “For the next three years, our members at MillerCoors know that their wages and pension benefits will increase, which is saying a lot in today’s economy.” Hourly wages will increase by 75 cents for the first year, another 75 cents for the second year and 80 cents for the third year. The contracts were approved Saturday.

During negotiations, which occurred simultaneously, MillerCoors management attempted to persuade the Teamster bargaining teams to accept higher healthcare co-pays. However, because of coordination between Teamster negotiators at the two breweries, there will be no health care cost increase the first year and only minor increases for the second and third years.

Since the Teamsters Union also sets retiree health care as a priority, the bargaining committees made certain that their coverage remained free. There will continue to be no premiums for retirees who have retired or who will retire through the end of the three-year contracts.

“We value all generations of our members,” Cipriani said. “So, we made sure that there were improvements for both active members at MillerCoors and the retirees who had paved the way before with their long years of service.”

The Teamsters Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference represents 1,200 MillerCoors workers nationwide. The third and final contract, for the MillerCoors plant in Irwindale, Calif., is currently being negotiated.