May 2, 2017
Momentum Builds as Strike for Local 812 Members Hits Ninth Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An ongoing strike followed Long Island beer distributor Clare Rose to the nation’s capital today. The Teamsters Union protested outside of the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Legislative Conference (NBWA), handing out fliers and waving signs reading, “Clare Rose Destroys Jobs, Hurts Families.”
NBWA has repeatedly highlighted Clare Rose and its workers on its website. Sean Rose, the Clare Rose CEO, has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the association.
“NBWA promotes the beer wholesale industry as a creator of good, local jobs, but Clare Rose’s union busting and wage cutting is tarnishing that image,” said Ed Weber, President of Teamsters Local 812. “Wherever Clare Rose goes, we will be there. Clare Rose cannot ignore what it is doing to Long Island families.”
Workers at Clare Rose have been on strike since April 23rd, when the company unilaterally cut drivers’ wages by 30% and ended the pension. The company mailed letters to workers informing them that they had been permanently replaced and giving them instructions to end their membership in the union.
Over the past week, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the New York State AFL-CIO, and Congressman Tom Suozzi, among others, have pledged support to the strikers cause.
“Workers join the Teamsters because they know there are millions of other members around the country to support them in fights like this,” said Mark Pooler, who has delivered beer at Clare Rose for 26 years. “We thank our brothers and sisters for taking the fight to Clare Rose in D.C., and wherever they go next.”
More and more Long Island stores and bars are running out of Clare Rose products as the strike gains momentum. Clare Rose is the sole distributor of Budweiser, Bud Lite, Heineken, Pabst, Blue Point, Greenport, and several other craft beers for Long Island. It is headquartered in East Yaphank with an additional facility in Melville.
The union negotiated with Clare Rose for months without progress before the highly-profitable company imposed huge wage and benefits cuts. The union said the strike against the company’s illegal actions will last until Clare Rose executives withdraw their draconian demands and agree to a fair contract with workers.
Teamsters Local 812 represents more than 3,500 Teamster families working in the beverage industry. Its members produce, haul, deliver, merchandise, and sell soda, water, beer, and sports drinks throughout the New York metropolitan area.