NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — About 600 union warehouse workers and delivery drivers who work for Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors walked off the job at midnight Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down.
MBBD holds the distribution rights to about 300 brands of beer. The company is the the exclusive distributors of Corona, Modelo, Sam Adams, Coors, Blue Moon, Heineken and other popular beers which delivers to thousands of bars and restaurants.
Alleging unfair labor practices related to their pension fund, workers represented by the Laundry, Distribution, and Food Service Joint Board Workers United/SEIU (LDFS Union) have begun a strike affecting four of the five MBBD sites.
The core of the dispute involves claims that MBBD directly contacted employees to advocate for a transition from their current pension plan to a 401k.
Workers are also demanding consideration of other issues, including the need for additional helpers on delivery trucks, citing the physically demanding nature of deliveries in all weather conditions.
Hundreds of workers are expected to picket at MBBD's Bronx headquarters on East 149th Street, alongside demonstrations at the company's locations in Ridgewood, Queens, Wyandanch, and Suffern.
"A small committee of union members has decided to proceed with this strike without putting forth our offer to a vote of the full membership. We have made a very compelling and attractive offer after several weeks of negotiations, and it is disappointing that the union has encouraged a strike without presenting this offer to its members," Manhattan Beer Distributors Founder and CEO Simon Bergson said.
"Our doors remain open as some union members have already chosen to come to work. We are working for a swift resolution and hope for minimal disruption of services," he added.
The National Labor Relations Board is investigating.