'TASTELESS' BEER WAR ON EMPLOYEES HITS WV

(07/08/2008)

Billboards saying that "Miller is Tasteless" went up across the Mountain State to protest efforts by Capitol Beverage Company, a distributor of Miller and Coors products in West Virginia. A spokesperson said the fight is to force Capitol's Teamster employees to accept grossly substandard wages with an expensive family health care plan workers cannot afford. The billboards read "Tell Miller: Destroying West Virginia Jobs is Tasteless." Teamsters Local 175 in Charleston has represented Miller drivers and warehouse workers for over 30 years. Capitol wants to pay its Miller and Coors delivery drivers and warehousemen up to 40 percent less than other beverage distributors in the area. Capitol is attempting to force longtime employees to pay as much as $11,000 a year for family health care. Capitol's plan would also eliminate health care coverage for retired Miller and Coors beer delivery drivers. After Miller delivery workers voted to reject the company's contract offer last month, Jim Waugh, the owner of Capitol Beverage, threatened to permanently replace workers who exercise their right to strike. Capitol's employees have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board charging the company with violating federal labor law and refusing to bargain in good faith. Ken Hall, Teamsters International Vice President and President of Local 175 said "Unfortunately, the company seems to be more interested in bullying workers than negotiating a contract that provides a fair living for hard working Miller delivery drivers and warehousemen." "Miller and Capitol Beverage generate millions of dollars in profits in West Virginia every year," said Luke Farley, a Local 175 representative. "Both of these companies can afford to provide good jobs that support local families," he said.

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