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FIGHTING FOR A FAIR CONTRACT
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FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS DRINK ABInBev PRODUCTS
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From the Belleville News Democrat, 06/13/08
Letters to the editor
Unfair to the union
I am writing concerning the unfair bargaining position taken by Illinois Distributing in its negotiations with Teamsters Local 50.
Illinois Distributing has demanded the union employees to take a cut in wages, in their retirements and insurance plans. They have refused to negotiate in good faith with the Teamsters.
A couple of years ago, the Busch family unveiled a new media campaign stressing that the Anheuser-Busch brewery is family-owned, American-owned, and stood for old-fashioned American ideas.
What Illinois Distributing and Anheuser-Busch are doing now is not being committed to old-fashioned American ideas, but to a new idea of corporate greed, corporate profits, and to destroy their employees right to make a decent living.
Tony Joynt, Susan Joynt, Scott Givens and the Busch family should be ashamed of themselves for treating their loyal and dedicated employees in such a despicable fashion.
Please support Teamsters Local 50 in their efforts. This fight is more than about wages, 401(k)s, or insurance coverage, it is about the rights of American workers to earn a decent living and the survival of the American middle class.
Bob Delaney
St. Clair County clerk
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Beer distributing crew still without pact Posted on Tue, Sep. 11, 2007
Union balking at cross-the-board cuts
BY WILL BUSS
News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE --
About 60 workers from Illinois Distributing of Belleville have been asked to take a cut in pay and pension and health care benefits, according to the union.
The workers, who are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 50, have been working without a contract since June and have been negotiating for a new one since April.
Illinois Distributing Chief Executive Officer Scott Givens could not be reached for comment Thursday or Monday.
The company, at 1 Busch Blvd. off Illinois 15 in Belleville, distributes Anheuser-Busch products.
Teamsters business agent trustee Pat Nichols said the company is currently seeking as much as a $12,000 decrease in wages per worker, 40 percent to 60 percent cut in pension benefits and a health plan that would go from the union's plan to one stipulated by the company that would change employees' coverage.
According to Nichols, workers had had a $500 deductible and under the company plan, that could jump to $1,000 or as high as $5,000.
He said the union has countered with a three-year deal with freezes across the board. However, it has been rejected.
"They are looking to cut wages, health insurance, pension conditions, everything," Nichols said. "We're asking for nothing. We just want our jobs and to maintain status quo and move right along."
He said management has moved little in its demands, but the union plans to continue to negotiate.
The average worker makes more than $40,000 a year, he said, but there is probably no avoiding a pay cut.
He said the union has talked about going on strike, but wants to avoid it.
"We really don't want to do that and take that step," he said.
"We're backed in the corner. We're looking at the best possibility."
Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 24.
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IDC’s OFFER REJECTED!
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9/14/07
The rank and file union employees of Illinois Distributing Company sent the company a clear message by voting UNANIMOUSLY to reject the company’s final offer last Thursday evening and vowed to continue to do whatever was necessary to obtain a FAIR contract. Union urges company to continue negotiations , movement still possible from the union.
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From the Belleville News Democrat, 9/19/07
Letters to the editor
Stand up for drivers
If anyone had any doubt about whether unions are necessary anymore, all you have to do is read the article in the Sept.11 business section. The drivers for Illinois Distributing have been working without a contract to try to come to a successful resolution without a strike, and what is their thanks from the company? They are told that to keep their jobs they must take pay cuts of up to $12,000 a year and have their health insurance coverage cut back drastically. Yeah, that sounds like a fair offer to me.
Corporate America has raised union-busting to an art form. If people had any sense of their history, they would understand that unions have been responsible for a living wage, safety regulations, health insurance as a work benefit, restrictions on youth laborers, a 40-hour work week, and a host of benefits that not just blue collar workers have benefited from. No doubt they have had issues of their own through the years, but nothing on the scale that big business has wrought.
It is ironic that this comes out right after we celebrated Labor Day, don't you think? I hope the Teamsters will stand up strong for these drivers as the union has so many times over the years, and say enough is enough. I also hope the working people of Southern Illinois will support them.
Unions helped make America strong. Don't forget it.
Dennis M.Gilbert
Waterloo
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The union employees of Illinois Distributing Company thank you for your support Mr. Gilbert. It is GREATLY appreciated and needed!
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This site is not affiliated with nor approved or endorsed by Teamsters Local 50
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