FORT WORTH, Texas — Unionized workers at Molson Coors' Fort Worth Brewery authorized a strike Sunday, as negotiations with their employer continue.
If the union's national leaders call for a strike, 420 Local 997 Molson Coors Teamsters will walk off the job.
"We're working to get back some respect in the workplace," chapter treasurer Rick Miedema told WFAA Sunday. "The company has made record profits over the last several years, and it's time to give back the dignity and respect to the workers."
The two sides have not publicly disclosed details included in their contract proposals, though 93% of Local 997 Molson Coors Teamsters voted to reject their employers' latest offer. The workers want pay increases, improved health care and retirement benefits.
In a press release this week, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it would increase future strike benefits to $1,000 per week for members of Teamsters Local 997.
"That was exciting for our membership because it gives us some strength," Miedema said.
According to the release, the strike benefit would go into effect for the Molson Coors Teamsters "if the company fails to come to terms soon on an agreement that rewards workers with their fair share of record-setting profits."
In a statement to WFAA, Molson Coors Chief Communications Officer Adam Collins said the company is "fully committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to employees and to the Fort Worth brewery."
"We’ve offered a contract that exceeds local-market rates for similar unionized positions, we've held nearly 40 negotiating sessions over two months with Teamsters Local 997 and we've agreed to mediation as a path to reach an agreement," Collins' statement continued. "Should the need arise, we have a strong contingency plan, which includes five other breweries with extra capacity across the U.S., and we are well prepared to continue operations in any scenario.”
In June 2022, Molson Coors announced a $65 million investment in the Fort Worth brewery to grow its capabilities and increase its in-house hard seltzer production. The Fort Worth facility is the company's only plant where co-branded products are assembled and packaged.
If workers at the Fort Worth Brewery walk off the job, Molson Coors would likely need to outsource packaging for its hard-seltzer brands. The Teamsters believe this gives them negotiating leverage.
Miedema said his members were emboldened by union activity in other industries during summer 2023. Writers, health care workers and auto manufacturers - including at Arlington's GM Plant - secured new contracts with their employers.
"It's given our members momentum," Miedema said. "It's given them dive. They're seeing people demand their worth and get their worth."
Molson Coors’ fourth-quarter 2023 earnings were the company’s highest since 2005, the Teamsters release stated.
The brewery, located at 7001 South Freeway, opened in 1969 and became the home of Miller Lite in 1975. Five-hundred and twenty employees work at the Fort Worth site, according to the Molson Coors website.
Among the products produced at the Fort Worth site include: Miller Lite, Coors Light, Yuengling, PBR and Topo Chico.
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