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.

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.

WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said members from other unions were eager to let Teamsters, and the public, know they’re with them. “We have a saying in the labor movement: “An injury to one is an injury to all.’  As long as The Beverage Market workers are denied a fair contract, union members will fight by their side to right this wrong.”

The WV AFL-CIO and its affiliates provided lunch from Sam’s Uptown Café, which is among the many local businesses that are supporting the Teamsters by rejecting deliveries from The Beverage Market until the strike is resolved.