Strike action at Jim Beam distilleries ends

Employees at Jim Beam’s distilleries in Kentucky have ended a week-long strike after approving a new contract offer from Beam Suntory.

Workers at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont and the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston have returned to work following the approval of a new labour agreement, ending a week-long strike.

Janelle Mudd, president of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Local 111-D said the main issues employees were tackling through strike action were “protection of seniority, job security, clear contract language, and improvements in safety”.

According to Beam, features of the new contract include “less reliance on temporary workers, better management of overtime, and a number of improvements to promote work-life balance”.

Both distilleries remained open during the strike, with Jim Beam implementing unspecified contingency plans to maintain production.

“This outcome is good news for our people, our customers and fans of Jim Beam everywhere,” said David Hunter, chief supply chain officer for Beam Suntory.

“The successful resolution of this matter resulted from constructive good faith dialogue with the union leadership, and valuable listening sessions with a broad cross section of team members.

“This contract builds on the values shared by our company and our workforce, and will help make these plants even better places to work.”

The company’s operations are said to have resumed “at full strength”.

“The ratification was the result of intensified, good faith bargaining, with new bargaining committee members who better acknowledged and addressed all major contractual issues, said George J. Orlando, international vice president and director, Distilled Spirits Divison, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union.

“Through the negotiation of mutually beneficial changes in key areas such as staffing, the number and use of agency works, wage inequities, seniority recognition, work schedules, and the effect of excessive overtime on quality of life, the parties have committed to re-establishing a better workplace environment, early problem solving, and enhancing their pride in the production and integrity of the Jim Beam brand.”