Jim Beam union workers announce strike

Union members at Jim Beam’s distilleries in Kentucky have rejected a two-year contract proposal by Beam Suntory and voted to take strike action, according to reports.

Union members at Jim Beam’s distillery in Kentucky have voted for stoke action

According to the Kentucky Standard, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 111D said a ‘contract dispute’ was one reason for the strike, but did not provide specific details.

In total 201 employees from Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont and Jim Beam’s Booker Noe Distillery in Boston voted to reject the company’s offer, with just 19 voting to accept it.

The strike is effective as of midnight on Friday 14 October.

Reports allege that employees plan to protest with picket signs at the brand’s Clermont site, and are considering a protest at its Boston facility.

A statement from Kevin Smith, vice president of Kentucky Beam Bourbon Affairs at Beam Suntory, reads: “We value the positive relationship we have with our UFCW associates at our Clermont and Boston facilities, and we have worked constructively with their negotiating committee and a federal mediator to develop a very attractive new contract over 33 days of bargaining.

“We are seeking to understand the reasons why the union membership voted down this competitive two-year contract proposal unanimously recommended by their own representatives. The proposal includes substantial wage increases, coupled with other enhancements including elimination of the two-tiered wage system for almost all employees.

“While we have not been advised of any specific objections to the proposal, we are committed to resolving this matter expeditiously. We greatly value our teams at these facilities, and we look forward to working with the union leadership to help ensure a full understanding of the proposal by the union membership.

“Ultimately, we hope the employees will reconsider and support this agreement. As the current contract extends through Friday, we anticipate business as usual tomorrow at our facilities.”