As West Virginians enjoy spending time with family and friends this Labor Day weekend, the West Virginia AFL-CIO invites residents to join one of our union-sponsored events to honor the workers who built this country.
“Labor Day is a celebration of worker power and all that we can accomplish together when we stand together in solidarity,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “From parades and picnics to rallies and community events, union members are coming together across the state and country to celebrate working people – and Labor Day is better when we celebrate together.”
To increase awareness of Teamsters Local 175’s 15-week strike against The Beverage Market, The Freefolk Brewery & Taproom in Fayette County is holding an event Sunday featuring multiple bands, guest speakers, and the special release of a beer to honor striking workers.
Members of the public and the media are invited to attend.
CHARLESTON – Supporters from a dozen different unions turned out today to stand beside members of Teamsters Local 175 in solidarity and share a meal with them as their strike against The Beverage Market stretches into its eleventh week.
“Our people have been holding strong for a fair contract, but it is a long, difficult fight. Having members from all these different unions come out and stand with us has been a real morale booster,” Teamsters Local 175 President Steve Day said. “It’s a reminder of how many people in our communities understand the importance of what we’re doing.”
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.
Members of Local 175 Fighting for a Fair Contract
Despite the union’s efforts to negotiate during five different meetings over the course of the eight-week strike, the owners of The Beverage Market are still demanding more than 100 changes in the contract.
“The Union has shown a wiliness to pay significantly more for health insurance, but what the Company is demanding is unreasonable. Additionally, the Union is down to a handful of proposals to reach a fair contract,” Luke Farley of Teamsters Local 175 said. “Meanwhile, company owners Theresa Hammonds-Johnson and Luther Martin Johnson, who haven’t attended a single negotiating session in person since the strike started, continue to make a mockery of the process.”
The group of nearly 50 Teamsters 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.
Security hired by owners of The Beverage Market recently injured a striking employee by throwing him to the ground, also knocking to the ground another employee’s mother, who was visiting the picket line. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the complaint.
“The Company acts as if these striking employees are just a bunch of thugs, but the only incident has come from The Beverage Market’s own security team,” said Steve Day, President, Local 175.
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.
