Workers at Anchor Brewing Co., parent of San Francisco icon Anchor Steam Beer, are organizing with the International Longshoremen & Warehouse Union. Assisting in the drive is the San Francisco Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America.
Anchor Brewing, a unit of Sapporo USA, recently took away the workers’ free beer privilege. Members of the organizing committee say they have struggled to make ends meet because of San Francisco’s record cost-of-living, and some are paid at California’s $15-an-hour minimum wage.
Additionally, a number aren’t permitted to work more than 29 hours a week, in order to stay below the Affordable Care Act’s exemption for part-time workers.
Workers also say they fear Sapporo will move brewing from San Francisco to some other location. One worker said keeping the San Francisco identity was nearly 100% of the reason he signed a union card.