Union workers at the City Brewing Company in La Trobe began what they described as an unfair labor practice strike on Tuesday morning. The company refused to provide information. Union representatives were unable to comment on Tuesday on the information they were requesting, or contract negotiations. “This is a new, uncharted territory for all of us,” said Bill Palmer, of IUE-CWA Local 22. “We certainly don’t want to be here, but we have to take a stand.” Union workers have been working with local residents at IUE-CWA 22 and 144 without a contract since earlier this month, but said they were negotiating with the company. Including forcing 12-hour shifts and withdrawing overtime pay. From Action News 4 in Pittsburgh: “City Brewery has spent over six months working hard to reach an agreement with the IUE-CWA consortium for our Latrobe brewery, and we remain committed to securing a strong contract for the benefit of our employees. Our most recent offering included significant increases In wages for all employees covered – approximately 23% for new hires – advance payments upon signing, enhanced leave entitlements and competitive benefits. We have met with our employees to ensure they have accurate information and will continue to negotiate in good faith to resolve any open issues and reach an agreement.”
Union workers at the City Brewing Company in La Trobe began what they called an unfair strike action Tuesday morning.
Watch the report from Latrobe: click on the video player above.
The unions have filed a lawsuit with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that the company is doing so Refusal to provide information.
Union representatives were unable to comment on Tuesday on the information they were requesting, or contract negotiations.
IUE-CWA Local 22’s Bill Palmer said: “This is a new, uncharted territory for all of us. We certainly don’t want to be here, but we have to take a stand.”
Union workers with local IUE-CWA 22 and 144 have been working without a contract since earlier this month but said they have been negotiating with the company since October.
In a statement on March 3, workers said they felt the company was acting against them in several ways, including imposing 12-hour work shifts and withdrawing overtime pay.
A spokesperson for the brewery sent the following statement to Action News 4 in Pittsburgh:
“City Brewery has spent over six months working hard to reach an agreement with the IUE-CWA Consortium for our brewery in Latrobe and we remain committed to securing a strong contract for the benefit of our employees. Our latest offer included significant pay increases for all employees covered – nearly 23% for new employees – advance payments upon signing, enhanced leave entitlements and competitive benefits. We have been meeting with our employees to ensure they have accurate information and will continue to negotiate in good faith to resolve any open issues and reach an agreement.”