Anheuser-Busch's United States workforce, comprising over a quarter of the company's employees across twelve breweries, are expressing their discontent through potential job actions. Teamsters Union President Sean O'Brien expressed their dedication to the company, stating, "The labor, talent, and sacrifice of our members keep Anheuser-Busch products on store shelves, and we seek recognition and appreciation for their hard work." However, if the company leadership fails to reach an agreement that respects their workers, a stark scenario unfolds - potentially seeing the workers on the streets.
The union members, represented by the Teamsters, voted overwhelmingly for a strike in February 2024, with an astounding 99% approval rating. Anheuser-Busch has yet to comment on the union's demands.
Strikes are becoming increasingly common in the US, with a 59% increase in significant strikes lasting more than a week, according to data from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Unions are leveraging the threat of strikes to push for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. Some of these increased demands stem from record profits and the companies' capabilities to meet these new expectations more easily.
Last year, Anheuser-Busch made headlines for hiring the Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a social media advertising campaign. The move sparked controversy, resulted in a significant sales decline, and prompted a government-led boycott by some conservative groups. As a consequence, Bud Light lost its title as the top-selling beer brand in the US, with a 13.5% decrease in 3rd quarter volume sales.
In July 2023, AB InBev announced job cuts of approximately 400 roles, citing that front-line workers, such as brewery, warehouse, and delivery personnel, would not be affected. According to company data, the affected workers were one of the 5,000 identified by the Teamsters in their press release about the strike vote.
Even without specific current labor conflicts or strike actions relating to Anheuser-Busch, it's essential to recognize that the general trend of labor actions in the US is evident. Companies must consider their workers' demands and strive to reach agreements that respect and recognize their contributions to the company. Unions will continue to wield the threat of strikes as a negotiation tool to secure better working conditions and compensation.
References
[1] Strikes in the US skyrocket, with majority achieved by labor. (2024, December 14). CNN. Retrieved from . [2] Lowe, M. W. (2024, March 05). Abeer-Busch workers threaten to strike if demands aren't met. Business Insider. Retrieved from . [3] Boeing strike costs nearly $4 billion as union workers call for safety improvements. (2024, January 20). NBC News. Retrieved from . [4] Herc Rentals drivers threaten strike over wages, benefits. (2024, March 08). CNBC. Retrieved from .
