Elysian Teamsters authorize strike

Workers at Elysian Brewery overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike as negotiations on a first contract drag on for more than a year

TUKWILA, WA (October 15, 2024) — A group of 30 Elysian Brewery workers represented by Teamsters 117 voted to authorize a strike this past weekend after more than a year fighting for a first contract. Elysian’s parent company, AB Inbev, has refused to come to a deal, with the union reporting concerns that the company is intent on sabotaging the negotiations process. Now, the workers are starting to make preparations for a possible strike.

“Our strike authorization sends a message that we’re serious. We want to see a contract we feel good about, one that we can actually vote on and feel confident is going to take care of us,” said Shannon Mullins, a quality assurance lead who has worked at Elysian for 6 years and is a member of the union negotiations committee.

Mullins says decent wage increases and better healthcare are priorities for the group as is language in the contract that gives workers the ability to stand in solidarity with other Teamsters.

Improving healthcare benefits was also on the mind of Kevin Lindsay when he attended Saturday’s vote.

“My doctor prescribed me medication that he said would improve my day-to-day immensely, and the insurance denied it,” the three-year Elysian employee said. “It would be nice to have a medical insurance that trusts in your doctor rather than a company that just trusts in who they give money to. If my doctor says I need something, then I need it.”

Despite the workers’ attempts to bargain in good faith, the company responded by hiring a union-busting law firm.

With the backing of Teamsters across the country, Elysian workers are pushing back. On September 28, they rallied for a fair contract outside the company’s facility in Georgetown, and they have been distributing leaflets, informing the public about AB Inbev’s anti-union tactics.

“This company needs to stop playing games and come to the bargaining table with a serious offer that recognizes these workers,” Teamsters 117 Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher said. “Our members are united and have shown again today that they are ready to take bold, concerted action until they have a fair contract proposal that honors their labor.”

The union is giving Elysian Brewing two full bargaining days on October 24 and 25 to get the deal done. If the company refuses, further action is imminent.