ST. LOUIS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anheuser-Busch, Inc. employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have overwhelmingly approved a new five-year contract. The agreement, which was ratified nearly four months ahead of expiration of the current contract, runs through Feb. 28, 2014.
"We're pleased our employees ratified this contract, which provides excellent pay and benefits while helping our company prepare for the future," said August A. Busch IV, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. "The contract recognizes the contributions of our employees who brew and ship the world's finest beers and reflects the strong relationship we have built with these employees and the Teamsters."
The contract includes wage increases in each year of the agreement, totaling 15 percent over the next five years, and the renewal of the company's contractual commitment to keep all 12 U.S. breweries open for the life of the contract.
Anheuser-Busch will continue to provide excellent health benefits to employees, while also containing health-care cost inflation for the company. The contract also improves pensions and provides for increased life insurance for employees, their spouses and dependents.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country's best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2008. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit http://www.anheuser-busch.com/.
