Teamsters Strike Against Molson Coors; Bud Light-Owner AB InBev Follows if Demands Aren’t Met by Next Week

(Photo: Teamsters/X)

Unionized workers at the Fort Worth Molson Coors brewery have officially initiated a strike against the world’s third-largest brewer.

Following months of negotiations over pay raises, improved health care and retirement benefits, 420 Teamsters members — around 80% of employees at the brewery — walked out on Saturday with picket signs held high. Working in shifts from 7 am to 7 pm, employees chant “No Justice, No Beer ” as drivers pass by on the busy Interstate 35W.

Molson Coors, conservatively valued at around $13 billion, recently announced record-high growth and profits for 2023. In addition to imprints like Coors Original and Molson Canadian, the company owns brands including Blue Moon, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Keystone and Olde English 800.

“Molson Coors reported making six years’ worth of profit growth just last year but is offering most Teamsters families in Texas less than $1 in new wages,” said Teamsters in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The heartless posturing by the company has left workers with no choice but to withhold their labor.”

Elsewhere, Teamsters are mobilizing against Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev), the Missouri-based brewing giant behind Bud Light, Michelob and Stella Artois.

Teamsters Local 267 members picketing outside Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo: Teamsters/X)

In January, 99% of unionized AB InBev employees voted to walk off the job if demands weren’t met by the beginning of March. As the date looms near, negotiations have reportedly broken down between Teamsters officials and AB InBev executives. Approximately 5,000 employees across the country will go on strike next week if a resolution is not agreed upon.

“Anheuser-Busch needs to check its moral compass,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “They’ve ignored workers for months. They make up excuses to not come to the bargaining table. They take our labor for granted while they pour millions into corporate advertising. It’s a disgrace. The Teamsters are more united than ever at Anheuser-Busch, and we are prepared for a full-scale strike and nationwide boycott.”

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