After more than 200 days on strike at Bigfoot Beverages, Oregon Teamsters offered to return to work. But Bigfoot Beverages has locked them out, the union said.
“This greedy, abusive company is violating the law,” said an April 24 union statement attributed to Teamsters Local 324 Secretary-Treasurer Chris Muhs and Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference.
The decision to end the strike was made by members, said Teamsters spokesperson Matt McQuaid.
Because the strike was in part to protest an unfair labor practice (ULP), legally Bigfoot is not allowed to permanently replace strikers. The strike started in September but became a ULP strike in late November, when Bigfoot withdrew recognition of the union as the workers’ collective bargaining representative, McQuaid said. Neither workers nor Bigfoot ever filed for a formal decertification process with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Bigfoot said in a press release that it’s starting a “new chapter” with its striker replacement workers.
“While Bigfoot Beverage agrees that it’s time for the strike to end, it will continue to follow the law and will not displace its current team members,” the press release stated.
Both sides have accused each other of harassment.
In a statement to the Roseburg TV station KPIC, Bigfoot said all but three positions are currently filled by replacement workers. Bigfoot said strikers will be placed on a preferential hiring list and contacted when positions open up.
The Teamsters have 10 ULP charges against Bigfoot pending with the NLRB. Bigfoot has filed ULP charges against the Teamsters and the Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network, as well as a lawsuit.
