THE BEVERAGE MARKET REFUSES TO TAKE TALKS SERIOUSLY
- Details
Members of Local 175 Demand A Fair Contract
(CHARLESTON, W. Va.) – A group of nearly 50 workers at the Beverage Market in Charleston W. Va., continue to strike over the company’s unfair labor practice (ULP). The drivers, helpers, and warehouse workers overwhelmingly authorized a strike earlier this month. The members of Teamsters Local 175 are fighting for a fair contract.
The parties resumed negotiations on Friday, May 22, 2026, but no real progress was made. The Company continues to demand concessions and provide zero reasons for its punitive behavior; therefore, the members remain on strike.
TEAMSTERS AT THE BEVERAGE MARKET IN WEST VIRGINIA LAUNCH ULP STRIKE
- Details
A group of nearly 50 workers at the Beverage Market in Charleston W. Va., have been forced to strike over the company’s unfair labor practice (ULP). The drivers, helpers, and warehouse workers overwhelmingly authorized a strike earlier this month. The members of Teamsters Local 175 are fighting for a fair contract, and are on strike as of this afternoon.
“The Beverage Market has been playing games with our members, and they will no longer take it,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “These workers make this company the success that it is and deserve a contract that honors their worth. We will continue to support this group and urge the Beverage Market to come to the table and negotiate a fair deal.”
TEAMSTERS KICK OFF PUBLIC DISPUTE WITH THE BEVERAGE MARKET
- Details
Teamsters Local 175 launched a billboard campaign across several counties in West Virginia to publicize its dispute with The Beverage Market public. The billboards read “Tell Miller: Destroying West Virginia Jobs is Tasteless” (see below)
Additionally, members along with other volunteers will be distributing fliers at the Foam at the Dome event, of which The Beverage Market is one of the sponsors, today in Charleston.
Critical Union Vote Sunday
- Details
Members of the media are invited to attend a critical meeting Sunday, when members of Teamsters Union Local 175 will vote on whether to accept or reject concessions demanded by The Beverage Market, a company that distributes brands such as Miller, Coors, Modelo, and Red Bull, among others.
Celebrate Working People This Weekend!
- Details
As West Virginians enjoy spending time with family and friends this Labor Day weekend, the West Virginia AFL-CIO invites residents to attend one of the many parades and events honoring the achievements of America’s working people.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate ALL of us, in every sector of the economy. Our story is the story of America’s workers,” said West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword. “This Workers’ Labor Day, working people from every walk of life and every corner of America are speaking up about what we need to get ahead, build a secure future, and exercise our fundamental freedoms.”
WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters noted that once again, national approval of labor unions continues to rise. According to a Gallup Poll released this week, this is the fifth consecutive year that approval of organized labor has been in the 67% to 71% range, a level last reached in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“There is an undeniable energy across this country, and it’s driving historic organizing—more than ever in our lifetimes,” Walters said. “In hospitals, on college campuses, in restaurants, workers are taking on massive corporations like Starbucks, Amazon, Disney and Sony. They’re winning first-in-the-nation contracts, and the momentum is only building across the political spectrum.”
The following are Labor Day events taking place this weekend:
Marion County AFL-CIO & UMWA Labor Day Celebration and Picnic
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, noon to 4 p.m.
Hough Park, Mannington WV
Special Guest: UMWA President Cecil Roberts
Contact: Mark Dorsey, 304-777-7642,
Celebration of Labor 2025 at GoMart BallPark
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, 3:04 p.m., gates open at 2:00
601 Morris St., Charleston WV
Free tickets for union members and their families
A tailgate/cookout will be held from noon-2 p.m., 600 Leon Sullivan Way for union members & families
Contact: Fred Chandler, 304-561-4857,
Tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Wvaflcio2025
United Mine Workers of America 87th Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, at 11 a.m.
John Slack Memorial Park, Racine, WV
Contact: Brian Lacy, 304-541-3948,
Paden City Labor Day Parade – Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler, AFL-CIO, a participant
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 1 p.m. (noon lineup at South End of town)
Free Live Concerts at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.
Contact: BB Smith, 304-545-7781,
*Note: Additional entertainment will be provided Saturday through Sunday starting at 2 p.m. at Paden City Park.
Marmet City Labor Day Parade – Kanawha Valley Labor Council, AFL-CIO, a participant
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, at 10 a.m. Meet 9:15 a.m. at old Woody’s Goodies Store location
Wear your union apparel and bring your union banners
Contact: Elaine Harris, 304-541-7293,
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.
