Beer distribution strike hits NYC businesses

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Workers at Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors hit the picket lines this week demanding better pay, benefits, and work conditions. 

Thousands of local bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and bodegas are now bracing for disruptions in their beer deliveries, including at Katch Astoria in Queens.

Roseann McSorely owns Katch and worries about how the strike could impact her business. “I have no beer,” said McSorely. “No beer delivery this week at all, and we don’t really know when the next delivery’s going to come.”

The popular sports bar — known for its wide selection of taps like Heineken, Corona, Guinness, and Modelo — relies heavily on its weekly deliveries from the distributor.

“As you know, we make money on alcohol, so if we don’t have the alcohol, we’re not going to make any money,” McSorely said. 

The employees' contract expired at midnight on Tuesday. They’re now pushing for a new agreement that protects their pensions, improves working conditions, and increases pay, among other requests. Workers mobilized at job sites across New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. 

David has worked at the company for 24 years and claims the distributor engaged in unfair practices during negotiations. “Talking to workers, straight to workers, and that’s illegal, and we in the negotiating committee want to ask them; we want a fair contract for our workers, and they refuse to do it,” he said. 

Strikers headed home early Wednesday after a union rep confirmed that contract negotiations are back on the table. Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors has not responded to our request for comment. 

Alberto Garcia, of the labor union Workers United, said they're prepared to hold the picket line for as long as it takes. “Take days or weeks,” Garcia said. “We’re ready for it.”

McSorely estimates her beer supply may only last through next week. After that, she might have to turn to a competing distributor, which she fears could cause a domino effect as other businesses scramble to do the same. Her business has already been struggling due to nearby construction blocking her storefront, and now she’s concerned that this strike could be the final straw.

“I just wish they would come to some resolution,” said McSorely. “These are not the economic times to be striking or not to give those workers their pensions.”

According to a union representative, workers could be back on the picket line as soon as Thursday, depending on how contract negotiations unfold.