{"id":45668,"date":"2021-09-13T16:20:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T16:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?p=45668"},"modified":"2021-09-14T00:28:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T00:28:46","slug":"ufcw-kentucky-distillery-workers-strike-to-stop-healthcare-price-hikes-protect-good-kentucky-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/ufcw-kentucky-distillery-workers-strike-to-stop-healthcare-price-hikes-protect-good-kentucky-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"UFCW Kentucky Distillery Workers Strike to Stop Healthcare Price Hikes, Protect Good Kentucky Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Union for 25,000 Kentucky Workers Statewide Urges $500 Million Distillery to Recognize Service of Heaven Hill Frontline Workers as COVID Continues <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BARDSTOWN, KY<\/strong> \u2014 Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)<\/strong><\/a> the union for over 25,000 Kentucky essential workers <\/strong>statewide, announced that 420 Heaven Hill distillery workers<\/strong> are now on strike <\/strong>at the company\u2019s main facility in Bardstown<\/strong> to stop the proposed five-year contract<\/strong> that removes a cap on health insurance premium increases <\/strong>that reduce take-home pay<\/strong>, cuts overtime, <\/strong>and drastically changes work schedules<\/strong> which makes it harder for employees to support and care for their families even as Heaven Hill<\/a> reports $500 million in annual revenue<\/a> and the COVID-19 pandemic continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW Local 23D <\/strong>is the union for Heaven Hill Bardstown workers <\/strong>and has been in negotiations with the company for 6 months<\/strong> to reach an agreement for these Kentucky workers. In July 2021, the union called for a federal mediator<\/strong> to join the process to help to advance talks with the company. On September 9<\/strong>, Heaven Hill workers voted on the company\u2019s latest proposal and 96 percent<\/strong> of workers rejected the contract proposal <\/strong>and the strike began<\/strong> on September 11<\/strong> at midnight. It has been nearly 2 weeks<\/strong> since the company left the negotiation table.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW Local 23D President Matt Aubrey released the following statement<\/u><\/strong>: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cHeaven Hill distillery workers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic since it began and helped produce the hand sanitizer that kept Kentucky doctors, nurses, and so many other first responders safe when COVID-19 first ripped through our communities. When so many businesses shut down, Heaven Hill essential workers stepped up, helping to support our families and keep the company and our local economy strong throughout this crisis.

\u201cHealthcare price hikes that reduce take-home pay, cuts to overtime, and drastic scheduling changes are no way to recognize the incredible service of these Kentucky essential workers, but that is exactly what Heaven Hill is trying to do with this contract. How can a company making $500 million a year justify making healthcare more expensive for essential workers in the middle of a pandemic? What kind of message does it send when a family-owned company is pushing scheduling changes that make it harder for workers to support and care for their own families?

\u201cKentucky families have been working at Heaven Hill and proudly serving our communities for generations. They want to ensure that these continue to be good jobs that their kids and grandkids can count on so their families can continue this proud tradition of making the high-quality Kentucky bourbon that has powered our economy for decades. Heaven Hill has a responsibility to do right by these Kentucky essential workers and we are urging the company to step up and provide the strong contract that they have earned and deserve.\u201d

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BACKGROUND<\/u><\/strong>: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW has been the leading voice for Kentucky essential workers<\/strong> in distilleries, grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and so many other frontline businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Heaven Hill Kentucky distillery workers represented by UFCW produce a <\/strong>wide range of products<\/strong><\/a>, including Blackheart Rum, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers VS Brandy, Deep Eddy Vodka, Elijah Craig 12 Year Old, Evan Williams Kentucky Black, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey, Henry McKenna Kentucky, HPNOTIQ Liqueur, Old Fitzgerald Kentucky, Two Fingers Tequila, and many more. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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COVID NUMBERS<\/strong>: In the latest data compiled, UFCW confirmed that among the union\u2019s members nationwide, there have already been at least: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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