Teamsters At Columbus Distributing Company Ratify Contract

Four-Year Contract Includes Significant Wage, Benefit and Retirement Improvements

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

May 20, 2016, 11:38 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 100 members of Teamsters Local 284 employed by Columbus Distributing Company have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The company distributes Anheuser-Busch products to stores, restaurants and bars across central Ohio. The union represents drivers, warehouse, mechanics and maintenance workers.

The new labor agreement includes guaranteed health insurance for the workforce at no cost to employees, wage and commission increases, bonus payments and improved retirement benefits. The contract will remain in effect for four years with provisions for mutually agreeable extensions.

"We reached an agreement that works for our members and the needs of the business," said Paul Suffoletto, President of Local 284. "By committing to high quality, no cost health care for workers and their families, as well as other negotiated improvements, Columbus Distributing Company recognized the valuable contribution the workforce makes to the success of the business."

The previous labor agreement expired on March 31. Local 284 members continued to work without an agreement while union and management representatives negotiated with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Negotiators reached a tentative agreement on Sunday, May 15. The union membership voted to ratify the contract on Tuesday, May 17.

"Local 284 stuck by the membership every step of the way in these negotiations," said Lyman Bailey, union negotiating committee member and steward. "We were unified and focused on securing good wage increases, benefits and working conditions. The contract we negotiated proves that industry- leading businesses, strong unions and industry-leading labor contracts can go hand in hand."

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. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Paul Suffoletto, (614) 228-0728
Don Givens, (614) 228-0728

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters