USA: Teamsters overwhelmingly ratify five-year contract at Anheuser-Busch

Members of IUF affiliate International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) at Anheuser-Busch have voted by an overwhelming 86% to ratify a five-year collective agreement that significantly raises pay, improves health care and retirement benefits, and protects all members' jobs. The new agreement, approved on March 6 covers 5,000 Teamsters working at Anheuser-Busch breweries in the United States.

Highlights of the Teamsters 2024-2029 Anheuser-Busch contract include:

• Job security for all 5,000 Teamsters at Anheuser-Busch, including brewers, packagers, and warehouse workers
• Wage increases of 8 USD per hour, including an immediate 4 USD per hour raise in the first year, with average wage increases totalling 23% over the length of the agreement plus an additional 2,500 USD ratification bonus for every member
• An end to two-tier health care, providing all workers with the same high-quality Teamsters health care coverage
• Additional benefits including increased pension contributions and benefits nationwide, increased maximum vacation accrual to 8 paid weeks

IBT General President Sean M. O'Brien stated, "In ratifying a strong new contract at Anheuser-Busch, Teamsters have clawed back concessions from earlier agreements, protected retirees and invested in their pensions, and will be taking home the higher wages we've fought for. It's a significant victory for brewery workers in the United States. This agreement provides the same high-quality health care for all rank-and-file Teamsters and protects every member's job. Cheers to the workers who stayed in the fight to win a contract that sets a new standard for everyone in the brewing industry."