Unionized beer delivery and distribution workers went on strike Tuesday morning after the union and Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors failed to reach a new contract covering 600 employees.
The strike over alleged unfair labor practices, which impacts four of the company's five facilities, could impact thousands of bars and restaurants around New York and NYC. After walking off the job at midnight, picket lines were seen in the Bronx, Queens, Westchester and Wyandanch on Long Island.
The workers claim they have submitted a plan to Manhattan Beer & Beverage for them to pay an additional $1.50 per hour to increase future pension benefits, but the company has bypassed the union in favor of direct talks to unionized workers to build support for the employer exit the employees' pension fund.
"Manhattan Beer has provoked this and brought us to a strike by trying to get around the union and bargaining directly with the workers. This is disrespectful, an unlawful slap in the face to these workers, and has made negotiations harder," said Alberto Arroyo, co-manager of the union representing the beer delivery and distribution workers.
The union representing the workers, Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United/SEIU union, has two active complaints against the company in the National Labor Relations Board for alleged unfair labor practices.
"We want to be able to pay our bills when we retire, to retire with dignity and to take our pension away is not helping us do that," said Joe Gonzalez, a union shop steward.
Manhattan Beer & Beverages distributes brands such as Corona, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Heineken and White Claw to New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, according to the company's website. The company declined to provide a comment to NBC New York about the labor dispute.
Workers on strike — which includes truck drivers and fork lift operators — are responsible for stocking products, preparing orders and delivering and distributing beer, wine and ciders to restaurants, bodegas and supermarkets.
Neil Mennella, who runs 10 distributors on Long Island that will lose their weekly deliveries as a result of the strike, said his stores will restrict sales for now to mom-and-pop delis, bodegas and other businesses.
He also said Manhattan Beer & Beverages also supplies venues like Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Madison Square Garden, noting that beer sales at those locations could be impacted if the strike drags on.
"There’s definitely going to be problems in the next couple of days for stores and restaurants, people looking for it," said Mennella. "In the long run, the consumer is gonna pay for this...I see prices going up from this."
It was unclear when the two sides would resume contract talks.
Source: nbcnewyork.com
