(EUGENE, Ore.) – Teamsters were joined by the Oregon AFL-CIO and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 114 for a solidarity rally at Free Speech Plaza to support striking union members at Franz Bakery and Bigfoot Beverages. More than 240 members of Teamsters Local 206 and Teamsters Local 324 have been forced out on strike by Bigfoot, one of the largest alcohol and soft drink distributors in the Pacific Northwest, since Sep. 19. 

“This is a company we’ve had under contract for more than 50 years. They know that as Teamsters, we have a code that we live by and there are things that we never do,” said Mark Davison, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Joint Council 37 President. “We don’t cross picket lines, and we don’t bargain out of our pensions. Bigfoot is making this proposal because it wanted to cause a strike and it wants to break the union, but these tactics are not going to work.” 

Bigfoot forced the strike when it committed unfair labor practices and attempted to take away workers’ pensions. Teamsters at the company work as drivers, salespersons, service technicians, merchandisers, and vending and warehouse workers. 

“As Teamsters, as Bakers, and as Oregon residents, we have shown great strength and we will not back down,” said Edwin Powell, a striking Bigfoot worker from Local 206. “Rain, snow, fog, whatever it is – we’re going to be on the picket lines, and we will not stop. This isn’t just about Bigfoot employees. This is about maintaining standards for all the union members in our communities.” 

Teamsters have since called for a consumer boycott of the company. You can support them by pledging not to buy any products distributed by Bigfoot.  

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