Beer Delivery Workers End Strike, Winning New Contract that Protects and Improves Pensions

Members of the Laundry, Distribution, and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United/SEIU (LDFS Union) won their strike this week against Manhattan Beer and Beverage Distributors after just two days on the picket lines. About 600 delivery drivers and warehouse employees walked off the job on Tuesday after the company pushed to end their participation in the worker's pension program, meaning that workers would face drastic reductions to their future pensions and newer employees not yet vested would have no pension benefit whatsoever. The union also filed an unfair labor practice charge, accusing management of circumventing the union and attempting to deal directly with workers.

The strike slowed down beer, wine and cider deliveries to bars and bodegas as workers picketed outside various locations, including locations in The Bronx, Long Island and Rockland County, and management soon made their way back to the bargaining table. In the end, the union reports that the new agreement not only protects pensions but actually improves upon the current contract. Watch coverage of the strike victory from News 12 Bronx and ABC 7 and read more from the NY Daily News!