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CHRISTIANE CORDERO, ABC NEWS, WASHINGTON. NEARLY THREE MONTHS ON THE PICKET LINE AND STILL GOING STRONG, THE STRIKE AT PREMIER MIDWEST BEVERAGE DRAGS ON. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 554 TELLS KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN THE CONTRACT FOR UNION WORKERS EXPIRED IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THE UNION SAYS THEY STARTED WITH 47 ON THE LINE, AND THEY STILL HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERYONE. WE’RE HEARING FROM ONE OF THE PICKETERS FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE’S FIGHTING CANCER. JEFF MILLER SAYS HIS INSURANCE HELPED HIS NEWBORN SON BEFORE HE WAS PULLED OFF LIFE SUPPORT AND HELPED HIS DAUGHTER THROUGH HER OWN CANCER. HE SAYS HE STANDS TO LOSE THAT INSURANCE UNDER THE UNDER THE NEW OWNER’S PROPOSED CONTRACT. THERE’S NO PROGNOSIS FOR IT. THEY CAN’T CURE IT, BUT THEY CAN STOP IT. JUST PROLONG MY LIFE. SO AND I’LL BE OUT HERE WITH THESE GUYS TILL TILL THE END TO MAKE SURE THAT NONE OF THIS HAPPENS TO THEM. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A RECORD, YOU KNOW, FOR ANYTHING I’VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR, FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THESE GUYS HAVE STAYED HERE DILIGENTLY DAY IN, DAY OUT. THE NEW OWNER, GLAZER, SAYS THEY’VE BARGAINED IN GOOD FAITH. THE TEXAS BASED COMPANY SAYS THEY’
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Teamsters strike at Premier Midwest Beverage continues after nearly three months
Union workers at Premier Midwest Beverage have been on strike for nearly three months, with Teamsters Local 554 confirming that the contract for union members expired in early February. The union said they started with 47 picketers and have retained nearly all but one of them throughout the strike. One of the picketers, Jeff Miller, who is battling cancer, said his insurance has been crucial for his family, helping his newborn son before he was taken off life support and supporting his daughter through her own cancer battle. Previous coverage: Sarpy County beer distributors on strike; company aims to ‘crush’ union, Teamsters saysHe expressed concern about losing that insurance under the new owner’s proposed contract. “There’s no prognosis for it,” Miller said. “They can’t cure it, but they can stop it, just prolong my life. So, and I’ll be out here with these guys till, till the end, just to make sure that none of this happens to them.”Danny Avelyn, the principal officer for Teamsters Local 554, reflected on the group’s perseverance. “This has got to be a record, you know, for anything I’ve ever been involved in, for the amount of time these guys have stayed here, diligently, day in, day out,” Avelyn said. The new owner, Glazer’s, a Texas-based company, said they have bargained in good faith and maintained a “high level of service” during the strike.”We have bargained in good faith throughout the process and have offered competitive pay, retirement savings and healthcare benefits through negotiations. While we are disappointed that the strike has not been resolved, we are thankful to the individuals who are working hard to continue serving our customers with minimal disruption,” Glazer’s said in a statement.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Union workers at Premier Midwest Beverage have been on strike for nearly three months, with Teamsters Local 554 confirming that the contract for union members expired in early February.
The union said they started with 47 picketers and have retained nearly all but one of them throughout the strike.
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One of the picketers, Jeff Miller, who is battling cancer, said his insurance has been crucial for his family, helping his newborn son before he was taken off life support and supporting his daughter through her own cancer battle.
Previous coverage: Sarpy County beer distributors on strike; company aims to ‘crush’ union, Teamsters says
He expressed concern about losing that insurance under the new owner’s proposed contract.
“There’s no prognosis for it,” Miller said. “They can’t cure it, but they can stop it, just prolong my life. So, and I’ll be out here with these guys till, till the end, just to make sure that none of this happens to them.”
Danny Avelyn, the principal officer for Teamsters Local 554, reflected on the group’s perseverance.
“This has got to be a record, you know, for anything I’ve ever been involved in, for the amount of time these guys have stayed here, diligently, day in, day out,” Avelyn said.
The new owner, Glazer’s, a Texas-based company, said they have bargained in good faith and maintained a “high level of service” during the strike.
“We have bargained in good faith throughout the process and have offered competitive pay, retirement savings and healthcare benefits through negotiations. While we are disappointed that the strike has not been resolved, we are thankful to the individuals who are working hard to continue serving our customers with minimal disruption,” Glazer’s said in a statement.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
