Workers at contract producer City Brewing’s Latrobe, Pennsylvania-based facility went on strike Tuesday after being without a contract since March 3, TribLive reported.
The IUE-CWA Local 22 union has filed three complaints with the National Labor Relations Board and allege that City leadership has made unilateral changes to a contract, refused to furnish information, taken coercive actions and changed the terms and conditions of employment.
The strike marks the first work stoppage at the facility since the early 1980s, one worker told Pittsburgh Action News WTAE. Workers have accused City of trying to circumvent seniority, weakening the union’s position, forcing employees to work 12-hour shifts and eliminating overtime pay, WTAE reported.
IUE-CWA Local 22 represents about 50 workers at the brewery, while IUE-CWA Local 144 represents about 145, according to TribLive.
In a statement to TribLive, City said it has “spent over six months working hard to reach an agreement with the IUE-CWA union for our Latrobe brewery.
“We remain committed to getting a strong contract in place for the benefit of our employees,” the statement continued. “Our most recent offer included significant wage increases for all covered employees — nearly 23% for new hires — upfront payments on signing, enhanced vacation accruals and competitive benefits.”
City said it would propose a “last, best and final contract offer” that will honor seniority and job bidding, according to TribLive.
IUE-CWA Local 22 members who operate the facility’s engine room, boilers, compressors and ammonia systems continue to work.
“If something would go wrong in there, it’s a danger to the building and anybody that’s in it and the immediate surrounding area,” union president Bill Palmer told TribLive.
City is the nation’s largest contract brewer with a client list that includes Boston Beer Company and Pabst. Last year, it was acquired by a consortium of investors that includes Pabst owner Blue Ribbon Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partners, Oaktree Capital Management and City management.
The Latrobe brewery, once owned by former Rolling Rock maker Latrobe Brewing, can brew eight times daily; batches average 525 barrels in volume. Anheuser-Busch acquired it from Latrobe Brewing in 2006, but shifted Rolling Rock production to its Newark, New Jersey, brewery. City acquired the facility the same year.
City also operates breweries in La Crosse, Wisconsin; Memphis, Tennessee; and Irwindale, California.