MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Some people may be thirsty for a cold beer, but employees of Manhattan beer and beverage distributors are thirsty for better working conditions and more money.
With their contract expiring at midnight on Tuesday, they say they will remain on strike until their demands are met or an agreement is reached.
If you go into a bodega, supermarket, or even a restaurant and cannot get your favorite beer, this might be the reason; about 600 unionized workers from Manhattan Beer and Beverage Distributors across NYC, Long Island, and Westchester are on strike over what they are describing as unfair labor practices.
“The company doesn’t want to give us a fair wage and a fair contract,” said Ismael Garcia
“They want to take our pension away and want us to put everything into a 401k,” added Angel Asencio.
Many of these employees have been working at this company for decades. It’s been 20 years for Asencio, who’s a father and a husband. He joined the picket line at the company’s headquarters on East 149th Street in the Bronx.
“It means everything, it’s my livelihood is the way I survive, is food for my family,” stated Asencio.
“As hard as we work, we should be getting more,” said Adoni Belton.
More they say, also includes better health benefits and more personal time off. On a regular day, these employees are responsible for stocking, putting orders together, delivering and distributing beer, and other beverages to thousands of establishments such as a mini market in Hunts Point where Jose Fermin is the manager. Fermin said they have been getting beer from them for two decades.
“Heineken, Corona, all the kinds of beer, it worries about the business, you know. This store sells a lot of beers,” said Fermin.
We contacted Manhattan beer and beverage distributors, but have not heard back from them. Meanwhile, these employees say they are the cornerstone of what makes this company.
“You see the culture of people around here. From different ages, skins, tones, and colors, nationalities,” concluded Garcia, who added that management has not said anything back to them.
PIX11 News has learned that the union representing these workers has filed two complaints against this beverage distribution company that are being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
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