Teamsters increase pressure at Bigfoot strike
Strikes at Bigfoot Beverage distributors across the region are now into their third week, and now local teamsters offices are upping the pressure,.
As of Monday morning, October 7. 2024, striking workers are picketing alongside local teamsters at every Bigfoot location outside Burns.
The main sticking point of the strike, which is beginning to have impacts on craft beer distribution, is a debate over the company’s attempt to shift retirement benefits from a pension plan to a 401K.
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According to the teamsters union, the company has threatened striking workers with termination and permamnent replacement for their participation in the strike.
As for the shelves at your local grovery store, thsoe are currently being filled by a mix of managers, office workers and scab workers. Which, according to teamsters, is leading to some challenges.
“They’ve already taken out a powerline, they have left the facility with the backdoor of a truck open, they are making the company look bad,” says Chris Muhs, Principal Officer with Teamsters Local 324. “And I receive photos from our members daily showing some of the key businesses: Safeway, Walmart, Fred Meyer, some of the larger chains with empty shelves.”
As of Monday the strike has hit its 19th day, and negotiations have remained at a stalemate throughout the strike.
240 employees across six locations have been on the picket line throughout the demonstration.