But not for long. Clare Rose Inc. says it will permanently replace the more than 100 drivers and warehousemen, who launched a strike after months of negotiations over the company plan to cut wages 30% and to end the workers pension.
The union negotiated with Clare Rose for months without progress before the highly-profitable company put forward a “final offer” of wage and retirement cuts. Workers voted it down 107 to 9. When the company notified the union that it intended to impose the harsh cuts anyway, the workers went on strike.
Monday morning, the mechanics who maintain Clare Rose trucks walked out in support of the striking drivers and warehousemen, undermining the company’s attempts to operate without striking workers. The mechanics are members of Machinists Local 447.
Clare Rose is the sole distributor of Budweiser, Bud Lite, Heineken, Blue Point, Greenport, and several other craft beers for Long Island. It is headquartered in East Yaphank with an additional facility in Melville.