Workers Demand Company Keep Paws Off Their Pensions

(PORTLAND, Ore.) — Members of Teamsters Local 324 and Local 206 have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike at Bigfoot Beverage, one of the largest soft drink and alcohol distributors in the Pacific Northwest.

“Bigfoot Beverage loves to sell itself to the public as a ‘community partner,’” said Geoff Stewart, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 206. “But if it wants to start acting like a community partner, this company must stop trying to destroy its workers’ retirement security.”

At issue in contract negotiations are Teamsters’ retirement benefits. Bigfoot Beverage is trying to force workers to move from a defined-benefit pension plan to a 401(k) plan. The company has also retained one of the most notorious union-busting law firms in the country during negotiations, Fisher Phillips.

“This company is on the cusp of sacrificing its relationship with workers, the communities it serves, and the Teamsters Union, instead of simply reaching a fair deal,” said Chris R. Muhs, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 324.

“Bigfoot is saying that we’ll all benefit from switching to their 401(k) plan. That’s a bald-faced lie and we all know it,” said Aaron Griffith, Local 324 Shop Steward for Bigfoot Beverage of Newport. “Let’s call this what it is: a pay cut. We won’t stand for it, and we will strike in a heartbeat if we need to.”

Teamsters Joint Council 37 represents workers in Oregon, Southwest Washington and Idaho. For more information, go to jcteamsters37.com/

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