After many hours of negotiation, Teamsters Local 175 members employed by Coca Cola Consolidated at the Charleston/Logan facilities in West Virginia voted today by 96% to reject the company’s final offer for settlement of a new contract and authorize a strike. The contract expires on April 26, 2026.

Three years ago, the parties struggled to reach an agreement in part because the Company’s insistence on transferring work from the bargaining unit to outside companies.  The parties were eventually able to reach an agreement which helped protect the work.  Now the Company is trying to unwind the Union’s ability to reach such agreements in the future. 

“The members were very patient and worked hard to protect their work to which the Company ultimately agreed.  Now the Company is attempting to back out of what was confirmed three years ago.  It’s like Groundhog Day; every three years we must fight just to keep what we have.  The Union worked hard to address legitimate operational issues brought up by the Company, however, its proposal to do away with work protection is punitive and only an attempt to add to its bottom line, off the back of our members.  These members sent a strong message today that corporate greed will not be allowed from the members here at Coca-Cola.” – Steve Day, President, Local 175.

Local 175 represents approximately 100 Coca-Cola employees at the Charleston/Logan locations, which are under a single contract, and represents another 100 Coca-Cola employees at the Bluefield, Beckley, Parkersburg, and Clarksburg facilities.