USA: Pittsburgh Brewing willing to talk about buying Latrobe Brewing Co.

Pittsburgh Brewing Co. President Joseph Piccirilli said Thursday he is willing to meet with U.S. Rep. John Murtha to talk about buying Latrobe Brewing Co., but his first priority is his own bankrupt Lawrenceville brewery, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review posted June 02.

Piccirilli described Latrobe Brewing as a "beautiful facility," and said he would be amenable to discussing the situation with Murtha, a Johnstown Democrat, who is trying to broker a deal to save jobs.

"We are in the midst of union negotiations, and we are working very hard to turn our financial situation around. No one wants the brewery to close, and no one wants to see jobs lost. Pittsburgh Brewing is my first priority. But, if we can schedule something, I'll speak with the congressman. It's a discussion, that's all," said Piccirilli, in a statement, June 01.

Cindy Abram, a spokesperson for Murtha, said there were no meetings scheduled yet. Piccirilli confirmed he was contacted by Murtha's office to determine his availability to discuss the situation with the brewery.

Two weeks ago, InBev USA, parent of Latrobe Brewing, the maker of Rolling Rock and Rock Green Light beers, announced the sale of the Rolling Rock brand to Anheuser-Busch Cos. for $82 million. The sale did not include the production facilities in Latrobe. InBev officials could not be reached for comment.

Shortly after the announcement, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. was identified as a potential buyer for Latrobe Brewing Co., which is scheduled to close July 31 if no buyer is found, a move that would leave about 200 workers jobless.

"It's a shame what happened to both breweries, but we're just trying to save jobs at both places. We'll wait and see what happens," said George Sharkey, business agent for the International Union of Electronics Workers/Communications Workers of America, which represents over 300 brewers and bottlers at both breweries.

The unions are in discussions with Pittsburgh Brewing, which is seeking concessions from a labor contract approved last year. Pittsburgh Brewing, best known for its Iron City and I.C. Light beers, filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December and hopes to reorganize.

Separately, Pittsburgh Brewing said June 01 it contracted with HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc. to provide health insurance to about 150 unionized employees.

The new coverage replaces coverage provided by UPMC Health Plan Inc., which had asked U.S. Bankruptcy Court to allow it to terminate its coverage because of unpaid premiums.

The company said it owes about $500,000 to UPMC, whose coverage under a one-month contract extension ended May 31

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