DENVER — Whereas followers camp out behind Stranahan’s Distillery for a limited-edition batch of whiskey, union representatives for the distillery staff are on the entrance sidewalk combating for his or her first union contract.
Jimena Peterson stood Friday on the picket line alongside S. Kalamth Avenue, waving her signal and chanting to the automobiles passing by. She is part of United Meals and Business Employees (UFCW) Native Quantity 7, the union representing Stranahan’s Distillery distillers and bottlers who’ve been combating for his or her contract for greater than a 12 months.
“It is slightly disappointing to see the corporate is union-busting Colorado staff so drastically,” stated Peterson.
Stranahan staff banded along with UFCW Native 7 in summer time 2022. Jim Hammons with Native 7 stated their targets had been easy.
“They need to know what they will make and so they need to know what their raises are going to be,” stated Hammons.
In November 2022, staff voted in favor of union illustration and received a labor peace vote quickly after. Now, greater than a 12 months into bargaining, they have not been in a position to attain a compromise regardless of cheap employee calls for, Peterson claims.
“Their proposals will not be being listened to. The corporate is laughing on the staff’ faces, so we’re attempting to have our voices heard proper now,” stated Peterson.
The protest is being held throughout Stranahan’s annual Whiskey Snowflake Pageant — one of many distillery’s largest occasions. Followers eagerly await hours — even days — to get their fingers on one of many limited-edition bottles, that are solely obtainable sooner or later per 12 months. The union stated it is the right time to picket.
“They stated, ‘That is fantastic. We do not care in the event you strike. We now have 1000’s of barrels able to go. So if you wish to strike, go head. We do not care,’” stated Hammons.
In a press release, a spokesperson for Stranahan’s Distillery stated, “We worth all our group members at Stranahan’s, together with these with whom we’re partaking in collective bargaining. We respect the best of our workers to unionize, have bargained with them for almost a 12 months, and hope to reach at a decision quickly.”
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