Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth, Texas, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to update the situation with Molson Coors and Local 997’s contract negotiations. Miedema talked about the support they’ve received since going on strike and the call for a boycott of all Molson Coors products nationwide.
Since the last time Miedema was on America’s Work Force, the Local has gone on strike. After six weeks on the picket line following an initial 99-cent wage increase offer, the two parties returned to the negotiating table, and Miedema said the company only increased their offer by $0.05 to a total raise of $1.04. He talked about the fallout from those negotiations, including a call for a nationwide boycott of all Molson Coors products.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said the offer insulted the hard-working union members and they would strike for as long as it took to get a respectable contract. For Miedema, the offer felt like a slap in the face, and he talked about how the offers they proposed in negotiations compared to other breweries in the country. While the employer fails to offer a fair wage improvement, Miedema spoke about the seven years of record profit Molson Coors has made and how disappointing these negotiations have been.
The strike has been difficult for the 420 members, but Miedema discussed the growing solidarity among the members and the incredible support they’ve received from the International. While some members are standing on the picket line, other members have to visited nearby businesses to educate them on the strike and encourage the boycott of Molson Coors products. Miedema said they have received support from the local community and unions nationwide, adding that the members support each other on the picket line, and together they are prepared to do whatever it takes to get the contract they deserve.
Listen to the show above to hear more about the strike and boycott of Molson Coors.