Ohio Teamsters to Kick Off 'Budweiser is Tasteless' Protests

Employees at Budweiser's Ohio Distributor Fight for Retirees and Five Day Workweek

DAYTON, Ohio, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Workers at the Ohio distributor of Budweiser beer will kick off a summer hand-billing series on Saturday, July 9 at the sold-out Dayton Dragons minor league baseball game to bring attention to attacks on U.S. workers by InBev, the foreign owner of Budweiser, and bad business practices at the brewer's Ohio distributor, Heidelberg Distributing.

Budweiser delivery driver and warehouse workers, represented by Teamsters Local Union 957, will distribute handbills outside the Dragon's busy Fifth Third Ball Park that read "Budweiser Wants Dayton to Lose." The summer leafleting series comes after Heidelberg broke off negotiations with its workers and decided to illegally implement a wide range of damaging changes without bargaining with its employees.

Heidelberg wants to force its employees to work up to seven days a week and eliminate retiree healthcare for loyal longtime employees. Heidelberg's plan would also take away employees' federally protected right to take unpaid leave for family medical emergencies.

"Coca-Cola, Miller and Pepsi are willing to pay their employees the industry standard for the beverage market and provide them with decent benefits," said Varney Richmond, president of Local 957 in Dayton. "Budweiser's distributor needs to stop being greedy and step up to the plate."

The dispute could lead to a strike against Heidelberg, which delivers a variety of wines and alternative beverages - including Monster Energy Drinks and E. & J. Gallo – along with Anheuser-Busch InBev beers to state retailers.

"Budweiser's delivery drivers aren't asking for too much," Richmond said. "They just want respect and a fair contract that lets them share in the success they helped create."

SOURCE Teamsters Local 957, Dayton, OH