The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is currently boycotting Molson Coors beer products nationwide in response to a strike at the company’s Fort Worth facility. The strike, which began on Feb. 17, involves roughly 400 workers and was initiated after the union failed to reach a new contract agreement with the Canadian-American brewer. The company has been offering wage increases that the union deems insufficient, with the most recent offer only increasing wages by five cents per hour.
Despite the ongoing strike, Molson Coors insists that they have been able to continue operations at their Fort Worth facility, exceeding their weekly production expectations since the strike began. The company maintains that they have offered competitive wages and benefits and are committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union. The union, however, believes that the company is attempting to break the union rather than negotiate in good faith.
The Teamsters have been actively working to amplify their message and encourage supporters to boycott Molson Coors products. The union’s political director has circulated a letter among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, urging them to refrain from purchasing Molson Coors beverages during the strike. The boycott list includes popular brands such as Coors Light, Miller Light, Keystone, and Topo Chico hard seltzer.
In comparison, the union recently reached a new contract agreement with Anheuser-Busch, which included immediate raises of $4 per hour and total increases of $8 over five years. The union believes that Molson Coors should follow suit and offer comparable benefits to their workers. The Teamsters have been holding demonstrations outside arenas hosting the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, including the upcoming Final Four in Phoenix, to raise awareness of the boycott.
The Teamsters’ history with Molson Coors dates back to the 1950s, as the union played a significant role in a three-decade boycott of Coors beer that lasted from 1957 to 1987. The current boycott is part of the union’s ongoing efforts to advocate for fair wages and treatment of workers in the brewing industry. The union is urging supporters to refrain from purchasing Molson Coors products until the company comes to a fair collective bargaining agreement with its striking workers.
