USA: Latrobe Brewing Co. workers close to labour deal with City Brewing Co.
Union workers at Latrobe Brewing Co. say they're close to reaching a labour agreement with City Brewing Co. that could keep the plant open. A vote on a deal could be taken July 16, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review posted July 14.
"We aren't finished with negotiations, but we're hoping to have something done by Sunday," said Ken Ream, international representative for the IUE-CWA, the industrial division of the Communications Workers of America, which represents about 154 workers at the Latrobe brewery.
A new contract is key to the deal for City Brewing to buy the Latrobe, Westmoreland County, brewery from owner InBev USA. Ream did not disclose details of the contract proposal. Officials of La Crosse, Wisconsin-based City Brewing could not be reached for comment.
Meetings began the last week of June.
"We're cautiously optimistic about the negotiations so far. We still have proposals going back and forth. City Brewing certainly has a plan, but we're hoping to get something we can live with," Ream said.
Ream said no contract talks with City Brewing were held Thursday, but there could be additional talks today, if needed.
InBev USA in May announced the sale of Latrobe Brewing's Rolling Rock and Rock Green Light brands to Anheuser-Busch Cos. for $82 million. Anheuser-Busch said it plans to brew Rolling Rock in Newark, New Jersey.
The sale of the brand to Anheuser-Busch did not include the Latrobe production facilities, which remain on track to close July 31 unless a buyer is found.
"We continue with our plans to brew the Rolling Rock brands in one or more of our 12 breweries, beginning in August. InBev owns the brewery and is responsible for any discussions regarding its sale and employment," said Dave Peacock, vice president, business and finance operations for Anheuser-Busch, in a statement July 13.
Ream said that even if a contract agreement was reached with City Brewing, the plant would probably experience a transitional shutdown.
City Brewing, the nation's fifth-largest brewer, signed a letter-of-intent last month with InBev USA to conduct exclusive negotiations to buy Latrobe Brewing. No date was set to wrap up talks.
Tilbage
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