BREWERY UNION SEEKS FEDERAL INTERVENTION.Byline: Chris Roush Bloomberg News The Anheuser-Busch Co. faces possible intervention by a federal mediator in its drawn-out contract negotiations with the Teamsters Teamsters large, powerful union of U. S. truckers. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 2703] See : Labor after talks failed last week. The Teamsters said Tuesday that they will ask the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is an independent agency of the U.S. government that seeks to prevent or settle disputes between labor unions and management that affect interstate commerce. to get involved in the negotiations. That announcement came while Anheuser-Busch, which makes Budweiser and Michelob beers, planned to implement its final contract offer next week because the talks were at an impasse im·passe n. 1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac. 2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations. . The world's largest brewer and the Teamsters union Teamsters Union, U.S. labor union formed in 1903 by the amalgamation of the Team Drivers International Union and the Teamsters National Union. Its full name is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen, and Helpers of America (IBT). , which represents 8,000 - or about 32 percent - of the company's workers, have been negotiating since November. Anheuser-Busch, based in St. Louis, also has breweries in Van Nuys; Baldwinsville, N.Y.; Cartersville, Ga.; Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the American state of Ohio. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. ; Fort Collins, Colo.; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Fairfield, Calif.; Merrimack, N.H.; Newark, N.J.; and Williamsburg, Va. The union narrowly voted against the contract in July, with 54 percent opposing the offer. The two sides held talks in Charlotte, N.C., last week. ``We came to negotiations prepared to have real discussions and make progress,'' said David Laughton, director of the union's brewery and soft drink workers conference. ``Instead, Anheuser-Busch threatened to shove down Teamster TEAMSTER. One who drives horses in a wagon for the purpose of carrying goods for hire he is liable as a common carrier. Story, Bailm. Sec. 496. members' throats a contract that they voted against.'' Company officials said the union proposal last week rehashed matters that had been discussed previously. The previous contract expired Feb. 28, although it was extended one month during talks. The company presented a contract offer in late March, but the Teamsters voted against it by a 3-to-1 margin. After that, the Teamsters and the brewer called in a mediator for talks, but not from the federal service. At that time, the company would not agree to involvement by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the union. The company has more than 25,000 employees, including those represented by the Teamsters and 1,567 employees belonging to 18 other unions, according to government filings. |
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