“We greatly appreciate the owners of The Freefolk Brewery, Jeff and Sarah Edwards, for hosting this gathering,” Teamsters Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer Luke Farley said. “It’s important to spread awareness of The Beverage Market’s refusal to negotiate in good faith, and the hardship that has caused for the 50 striking employees, who want to return to work.”
Event to support the Teamsters Local 175 Strike to be held Sunday in Hico
- Details
Local 175 members -- drivers, helpers, and warehouse workers -- went on strike May 12 after a month of meetings failed to result an agreement before the contract expired. Teamsters have been picketing outside The Beverage Market’s Charleston location every day.
The Beverage Market, which services over 1,900 customers statewide varying from local bars and restaurants to chain convenience stores and grocers and is the sole distributor for Miller-Coors products in several counties throughout West Virginia, has been trying to decrease several employees’ pay, cut paid time off in half, eliminate portions of retirement, and increase health insurance premiums by staggering amounts.
Members of the community are encouraged to come out to the brewery, located in Hico in the New River Gorge region, enjoy some live music, sample the special-release Blair Mountain Blonde beer, and show support for the striking Teamsters and their families. The music lineup includes Ryan Bradenburg, Matthew Thomas, Curtis Lovejoy, and Woodbine.
WHAT Teamsters Local 175 Awareness Campaign Hosted by Freefolk Brewery
WHEN 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
WHERE The Freefolk Brewery & Taproom, 25385 Midland Trail, Hico, WV
We are a group of more than 575 affiliated unions joined together for the common cause of fairness for all workers.
The future of the working men and women of America depends on a strong, united labor movement. The strength of that movement is in our numbers: thousands of men and women united, striving for the same common goals
- fairness, justice, and equality in the workplace.
