Teamsters Protest MillerCoors

Union Members Reject Plan to Destroy Health Care Guarantees

Members of Teamsters Local 325 protested at the annual Rocktoberfest last week in opposition to plans by MillerCoors’ largest distributor in Illinois, Hayes Beer Distributing Company, to destroy any guarantees of health care coverage.

Nearly a year ago, the drivers, merchandisers and helpers at the MillerCoors distributor voted to join the Teamsters. Since then they have been retaliated against by having money taken out of their paychecks in violation of federal law. Hayes is also trying to impose upon its workers a contract that refuses any guarantee of health care coverage.

“It’s commendable to support Rocktoberfest where proceeds go to the fight against breast cancer,” said Jeff Porter, Local 325 Secretary-Treasurer. “But I’d bet the organizers of this event would be shocked to learn that the distributor of Miller and Coors products in Rockford would support this important cause while not ensuring that their hardworking employees have health insurance, regardless of whether or not they have children.”

“We work hard to service local businesses so we can support our families,” said Jim Stilson, a driver with Hayes Beer Distributing. “We just want the community to know that their neighbors and families are having their health care coverage threatened. Destroying my health care destroys community standards.”

“Forcing employees into a health care plan with no guarantees is irresponsible,” Porter added. “The loss of health coverage could easily bankrupt a family and we won’t stand for that.”

Hayes employees distribute MillerCoors beer brands to the Rockford metropolitan area, the Chicago suburbs and northern Illinois.

The Teamsters Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference represents more than 1,200 employees of MillerCoors breweries in the United States and Canada. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women nationwide.

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