1949 New York City brewery strike

American labor strike June 2021 June 2021 New York City, New York, United States 1949 New York City brewery strike Brewery Workers Brewers Board of Trade April 1 – June 21, 1949(04 01 1949 06 21 1949) * Addition of another worker on all delivery trucks Increased wages Shorter workweek * Picketing Strike action * Union and companies agree to compromise deal Other national brewers gain a foothold in the New York City market The 1949 New York City brewery strike was a labor strike involving approximately 7,000 brewery workers from New York City. The strike began on April 1 of that year after a labor contract between 7 local unions of the Brewery Workers Union and the Brewers Board of Trade (which collectively represented 14 city-based brewing companies) expired without a replacement. The primary issue was over the number of workers on board delivery trucks, with the union wanting two workers per truck as opposed to the companies' standard one person per truck. Additional issues regarded higher wages and reduced working hours for the union members, among other minor issues. The strike saw production at the New York City-based breweries immediately halted, and a beer shortage in the city soon began. Beer from outside the city, including New Jersey and the Midwest, was soon shipped in as the strike continued for several weeks. During the strike, three of the breweries resumed production after agreeing to independent deals with their workers, while the Brewery Workers Union was joined by two other local unions. On June 21, the strike ended with the workers and companies agreeing to a new labor contract that addressed many of the workers' concerns. The strike had an immediate economic impact on the New York City-based breweries, costing the companies approximately $75 million in gross sales. The strike and subsequent lack of local beer also allowed other American brands to gain a foothold in the New York City market, and local brewers increased their advertising to stay competitive. By 1952, there were only 4 local breweries left in the city, which at one time was one of the major brewing center of the United States. Background Brewing in New York City thumb|386x386px|Image from an 1897 book showing several breweries in the Bronx. The Ebling Brewing Company is shown in the middle.New York City historically was a major center of beer production in the United States. In 1898, the borough of Brooklyn was home to 48 breweries, and during their height, two of the largest Brooklyn-based brewing companies (the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company and S. Liebmann & Sons) both annually produced over 2 million barrels of beer.Hindy Stephen https://books.google.com/books?id=oWQdjnVo2B0C The Oxford Companion to Beer Oxford University Press 2012 978-0-19-991210-0 Oliver Garrett Garrett Oliver Oxford 183–185 en Brooklyn, New York Google Books In 1949, approximately 7,000 brewery workers in the city were members of the United Brewery, Flour, Cereal and Soft Drink Workers Union (also simply known as the Brewery Workers UnionApril 4, 1949 Conciliators Try Again Today to End Beer Strike 7 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711234/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com), an affiliate union of the Congress of Industrial Organizations.March 25, 1949 Brewery Drivers Vote Today on Second Walkout 3 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686232213/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com According to a union representative, the workers represented included all levels of workers except salesmen and white-collar workers.April 2, 1949 Beer Drought Seen in 10 Days As Strike Shuts 14 Breweries 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686234840/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com These union members, organized into 7 different local unions,Levey Stanley Stanley Levey March 25, 1949 STRIKE THREATENS CITY BEER INDUSTRY; 7 Brewery Locals Plan Vote Sunday on Walkout Sometime After First of April en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/03/25/archives/strike-threatens-city-beer-industry-7-brewery-locals-plan-vote.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607004027/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/03/25/archives/strike-threatens-city-beer-industry-7-brewery-locals-plan-vote.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 worked for 14 major brewing companies in the city and were collectively part of a labor contract between the union and the Brewers Board of Trade, of which the brewing companies were members. These companies included the 10 following breweries:June 22, 1949 Beer Pumps Primed For Flow Tomorrow 3 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57096711/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Burke EblingApril 5, 1949 200 Strikers Return At Ebling Brewery 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711250/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com EdelbrewApril 16, 1949 ONE BREWERY SIGNS STRIKE SETTLEMENT; 250 Workers at Edelbrew Plant in Brooklyn to Go Back to Work Today en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/16/archives/one-brewery-signs-strike-settlement-250-workers-at-edelbrew-plant.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607004320/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/16/archives/one-brewery-signs-strike-settlement-250-workers-at-edelbrew-plant.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 Liebmann MetropolisApril 17, 1949 ANOTHER BREWER YIELDS TO UNION; Metropolis Signs Contract and Rumor Has Two More in Talks With Strikers en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/17/archives/another-brewer-yields-to-union-metropolis-signs-contract-and-rumor.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607190229/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/17/archives/another-brewer-yields-to-union-metropolis-signs-contract-and-rumor.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 Piel Brothers Rubsam & Horrmann Ruppert Schaefer Trommer Additionally, four distributors for the companies Anheuser-Busch, Ballantine, Schlitz, and West End were a part of this board. Many of these companies were located in Brooklyn.April 1, 1949 7,000 Brewery Workers Strike; Plants Picketed 1–2 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686234334/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Labor contract disputes The contract between the union and companies was set to expire at midnight on March 31 of that year, and in the month leading up to that, representatives from both sides met in several rounds of negotiations to discuss the contents of a new deal. However, these talks were bogged down, as the two sides could not agree to the provisions of the contract. In particular, union officials were pushing for an $8.50 weekly raise to the base $71 weekly pay. Workers also wanted a five-hour reduction to their 40-hour work weeks, the addition of an extra man on delivery trucks operated by only one person, and a pension plan. Additional points of contention concerned job security and workplace safety. According to union counsel Paul O'Dwyer (brother to then-New York City Mayor William O'DwyerDecember 21, 1949 Dinner Tendered Paul O'Dwyer by Brewery Workers 30 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/52859656/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com), the main issue concerning the union members was that "there are too many injuries because the men are forced to move the machines too fast and to handle excessive weights without aid on delivery". O'Dwyer also claimed that 20 brewery workers had been killed on the job in New York City over the previous four years and that injuries and workplace hazards had increased.April 3, 1949 Brewery Strikers Turn Back Drivers Of Jersey Trucks 1, 37 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711166/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com However, a representative of the brewers objected to these claims, arguing that the brewery workers had a good safety record. Additionally, he alleged that the $8.50 raise was unrealistic and that the union had not submitted a counterproposal to the Brewers Board's $2 per week raise counteroffer. On March 25, union members voted on whether or not to perform a strike action sometime after April 1 if a contract were not agreed to by then. Additionally, on March 27, union members voted by acclamation to request approval from the union's international officials to call a strike after the contract expired.March 28, 1949 Threat of Strike Spurs Beer Talks 2 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686232869/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Following this, a vote to approve strike action was held in a closed meeting on March 31. As the expiration date loomed, company and union officials continued to meet and discuss contract proposals, and immediately prior to the contract's expiration, the two parties had been engaged in a 12-hour long Federal mediation session which still failed to achieve a new deal. The strike action would be the second in 5 months for the New York City brewers, as the union led a 29-day strike in October and November 1948 after several delivery drivers were suspended and fired for not meeting company-imposed delivery schedules. As no deal had been reached by the current deal's expiration, the strike commenced at 2:05 a.m. on April 1, 1949.April 1, 1949 BREWERY WORKERS ORDERED TO STRIKE; 7,000 in City Area Affected as CIO Union Takes Action When Contract Ends en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/01/archives/brewery-workers-ordered-to-strike-7000-in-city-area-affected-as-cio.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607004216/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/01/archives/brewery-workers-ordered-to-strike-7000-in-city-area-affected-as-cio.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 Course of the strike Initial picketing thumb|250x250px|Plant for the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company in Brooklyn, 1941 Picketing commenced on the first day of the strike, with approximately 50 strikers picketing outside Schaefer's plant and an equal number at the Liebmann brewery (the producers of Rheingold BeerApril 27, 1949 Second Brewery Closes in Strike 12 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711929/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com). Several strikers also picketed at the Edelbrew Brewery and the George Ehret Brewery. Representatives of both Liebmann and Edelbrew announced they would not be shipping out their products that day, and police were informed to be alert for any disturbances at the city's breweries. In total, production at all 14 breweries was shut down. That same day, approximately 3,000 brewery workers in nearby New Jersey, organized under the American Federation of Labor (AFL), were also threatening strike action after their contract had expired the same day, similarly without a replacement agreement between them and five major breweries in the state. On April 2, the Brooklyn Eagle reported that a beer shortage could be expected in New York City within 10 days. Union officials argued that this number was closer to a week, while company representatives claimed it would be two weeks before a shortage. That same day, the New Jersey Brewers Association, during negotiations with the New Jersey union (Bottled Beer Drivers and Beer Bottlers Local 843) agreed to grant them the same terms as any agreement reached between the New York City union and brewers association. As a result, strike action in New Jersey was postponed. On April 3, strikers stationed at the Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge talked to beer truck delivery drivers coming into the city from New Jersey and convinced them to turn around, honoring their strike. That same day, shop stewards and the executive boards for the 7 local unions in New York voted to allow beer distribution in the city only if there were two people on each truck, that their work weeks consisted of 35 hours, and that they weren't transporting beer from any of the breweries affected by the strike. On April 4, union and company representatives met in Manhattan as part of negotiations overseen by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. While the negotiations did not lead to an agreement between the Board of Trade and the union, a separate agreement was made the following day with 200 unionized workers at the Ebling Brewing Company in the Bronx. As part of the agreement, Ebling agreed to the 35 hour work week and the two workers per truck rule and further agreed to incorporate any further agreements made between the union and board. A news article published after the agreement stated that 6,750 brewery workers in the city remained on strike.April 8, 1949 90% OF TAXIS ROLL AS STRIKE COLLAPSE NEARS 1, 19 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711342/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Out-of-state deliveries begin Federal discussions resumed on April 6.April 6, 1949 BEER STRIKE PARLEY RESUMES TODAY 2 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686235610/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com On April 7, Brewery Workers officials announced that they would cease picketing at the Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge and allow trucks from the P. Ballantine and Sons Brewing Company (described by the union as New York brewers' "largest competitor") to deliver beer into New York City.April 7, 1949 Beer Strikers Allow N. J. Brew To Flow Into City 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686236058/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com However, brewers from New Jersey withheld shipping their beer to New York City, claiming fears of possible violence or strike action if they did.April 9, 1949 Cab Tieup Ends As Beer Strike Brings Drought 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711374/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Several days later, the Brewery Workers Union offered to provide escorts for the New Jersey delivery drivers and alleged that the brewers' decision to not ship beer into the city was part of a national union busting ploy on the part of the brewing companies.April 11, 1949 U. S. Seeks to Settle 9-Day Brewery Strike 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686236943/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com O'Dwyer even went so far as to call out the United States Brewers Foundation and accuse them of monopolistic practices, which the brewers denied.April 12, 1949 Brewers Deny Union's Charge of Monopoly 2 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686237197/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Around this same time, strikers were involved in an altercation in Brooklyn during a picket when they attempted to prevent the unloading of beer shipped into the city from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Along with Pennsylvania, some bars in the city were shipping in beer from areas such as Connecticut and upstate New York.April 14, 1949 N. J. Beer Trucks Roll Toward Boro To Ease Drought 19 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711550/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com On April 9, it was reported that over 200 bars were empty of beer, with restaurant leaders in the city claiming that up to 40% of establishments could be without beer by the middle of that week. On April 11 and 12, the union and brewers met again with Federal mediators and again could not reach an agreement. Several days later on April 14, the New Jersey brewers reneged on their decision and began to ship beer into the city. It's estimated that on that day, 10,000 barrels of beer were shipped into the city, over three times the average amount.McCoy Alfred W. https://books.google.com/books?id=XptmDAAAQBAJ Beer of Broadway Fame: The Piel Family and Their Brooklyn Brewery SUNY Press 2016 978-1-4384-6140-3 Albany, New York 248 en Alfred W. McCoy Google Books That night, strikers held a rally at St. Nicholas Arena where they announced that the strike would continue as the union rejected the brewers' $3 weekly raise proposal. Additionally, it was announced that 400 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM), a national independent union, would also begin a work stoppage against the 13 breweries.April 15, 1949 Beer Strikers Reject $3 Raise 7 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/53711568/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com On April 16, the Edelbrew Brewery in Brooklyn announced that they had come to an agreement with the 250 workers at that plant, reducing the number of brewers involved in the strike to 12. The agreement reached with the company included the two person per truck rule and a 35-hour week.April 16, 1949 Boro Brewery Signs With Union 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686238496/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com The following day, Metropolis Brewery became the third brewery to sign a back-to-work agreement with their workers. On April 26, Schaefer announced that, due to the strike, they would be temporarily closing all their buildings for the duration of the work stoppage. This move affected about 100 clerical workers at the company. By this time, the AFL's International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) had joined the Brewery Workers and IAM in striking against the 11 breweries.April 26, 1949 Schaefer Closes In Brewery Strike 3 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686240875/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com The following day, Liebmann announced they would also be closing, affecting a similar number of clerical workers as at Schaefer. In both cases, the clerical workers were furloughed with pay. In addition to the IUOE, another AFL union, the Firemen and Oilers Union Local 56, would also join the strike by its end.June 13, 1949 Unions Vote on Pact, Beer Ready to Flow 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686249182/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Agreement reached On May 23, the New Jersey brewers came to an agreement on a new labor contract with the brewery workers in that state. As part of the agreement, the workers received a wage increase that would be retroactive from April 1, while working hours, holidays, and bargaining rights remained the same.May 23, 1949 Beer Settlement In N. J. May Solve New York Walkout 11 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686245643/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com The next day, the New York City brewery workers rejected an offer that was similar to the New Jersey deal,May 24, 1949 BEER UNION REJECTS JERSEY WAGE SCALE en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/24/archives/beer-union-rejects-jersey-wage-scale.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607190333/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/24/archives/beer-union-rejects-jersey-wage-scale.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 which would have seen hourly wage increases of between $0.35 to $0.40, a $175 bonus, a 40-hour week, and other benefits.May 24, 1949 Strikers Reject Brewers' Offer 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686245747/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com On June 2, the Brooklyn Eagle reported that brewery workers on strike accounted for nearly half of the increase in the number of people in the city applying for unemployment benefits. The strike at this point had been ongoing for 8 weeks, the required waiting period for striking workers to file for unemployment.June 2, 1949 Jobless Roles Set New High for Year 3 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57093300/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com However, by June 4, it was reported that a deal was close to being reached between company and union representatives, with a meeting held that night at the Commodore Hotel aimed at settling small disagreements. Among the settlements, the brewers announced that the two people per truck rule would be adopted at all breweries.June 4, 1949 Expect Settlement Of Beer Strike 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57093735/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Despite this, talks continued on through the week.June 5, 1949 Beer Strike Talks To Last All Week 5 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57093884/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com However, by June 11, a tentative agreement had been made between CIO and the Brewers Board of Trade. Provisions of the agreement included a 37.5-hour work week, a base weekly pay raise of $2, and eight paid holidays, among other benefits. In addition, two people would be on delivery trucks if it is "operationally feasible" for the individual breweries.June 12, 1949 END OF BEER STRIKE NEAR AS PACT IS REACHED 1, 47 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57095635/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Following the agreement, it was submitted for a ratification vote by union members. However, on June 14 it was reported that union members had voted to reject the proposal, with one local reporting that 92% of voters were opposed. With this, union members elected to continue the strike for their original demands, which included an $8.50 weekly raise and the assurance of two men per truck. The Brewer Board of Trade did not immediately comment on the rejection, instead saying they would "study the significance of their rejection".June 14, 1949 Beer Workers Reject Contract, Stay on Strike 2 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57096057/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Following the rejection, the brewers announced on June 15 that they would no longer be making any concessions to the strikers, who they alleged were solely responsible for the $40 million in lost sales they had experienced at that point due to the strike.June 15, 1949 Brewers Give Up Peace Efforts 3 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/686249613/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com In the days after the rejection, union and company officials again continued to meet in negotiations,June 20, 1949 BEER STRIKE TACKLED IN NEW NEGOTIATIONS en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/06/20/archives/beer-strike-tackled-in-new-negotiations.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607190453/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/06/20/archives/beer-strike-tackled-in-new-negotiations.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 and a new agreement was drafted that was submitted by vote to the union members. On June 21, with over 90% voting in favor, the union announced an end to the strike. The terms of the agreement maintained the $2 weekly raise and 37.5-hour workweek, but broadened the scope of the two men per truck rule to include approximately 96% of all delivery trucks. Additionally, the workers were guaranteed a pension plan and, according to the Brooklyn Eagle, "the maximum union security allowed under the law". With the agreement in place, workers returned to the breweries the following day, with beer shipments resuming on June 23.June 23, 1949 THIS DROUGHT ENDS 1 Brooklyn Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/image/57096786/ June 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Aftermath The strike had an immediate impact on the brewing industry in New York City. In terms of direct financial damage, it is estimated that the strike caused $75 million loss in gross sales for the local companies. Additionally, the lack of local beer during the months of May and June (when, usually, New York City-based breweries would produce approximately 31,000,000 gal l of beer) allowed brewers from the Midwest to gain a foothold in the city.Mittelman Amy https://books.google.com/books?id=PhqrqCb2kG0C Brewing Battles: A History of American Beer Algora Publishing 2008 978-0-87586-574-4 New York City 140–141 en Google Books Brands such as Blatz and Budweiser became popular, and that year, Wisconsin overtook New York as the leading beer-producing state in the country. In an effort to compete against these new brands, many of the local companies significantly increased their advertising budget.Spellen Suzanne January 10, 2014 Past and Present: Trommer's Evergreen Brewery and Restaurant https://www.brownstoner.com/history/past-and-present-trommers-evergreen-brewery-and-restaurant/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210207224457/https://www.brownstoner.com/history/past-and-present-trommers-evergreen-brewery-and-restaurant/ February 7, 2021 June 7, 2021 Brownstoner Magazine en-US One New York City-based brewery that was especially hurt by the strike was Trommer's. During the strike, the company's unique strain of yeast died, and afterwards, the company started using a new strain, which fans of the brand said changed the flavor.Eldredge Barbara September 7, 2015 Labor Strikes -- Five Historic Brooklyn Labor Disputes https://www.brownstoner.com/history/five-historic-brooklyn-labor-disputes/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210607005134/https://www.brownstoner.com/history/five-historic-brooklyn-labor-disputes/ June 7, 2021 June 7, 2021 Brownstoner Magazine en-US By 1951, the company had been sold to Piel's, and the company's Brooklyn brewery was shut down in 1955. By 1952, only four breweries remained in New York City.Gill John Freeman October 30, 2020 In Brooklyn, a Ghost of Breweries Past en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/realestate/william-ulmer-brewery-brooklyn.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210511132332/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/realestate/william-ulmer-brewery-brooklyn.html May 11, 2021 0362-4331 As late as 1960, however, approximately 10% of all beer produced in the United States was still being made in New York City. By 1976 though, both Schaefer and Liebmann (the last two breweries in Brooklyn) closed their remaining facilities. References Further reading May 10, 1949 CIO GROUPS PLEDGE BREWERY STRIKE AID en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/10/archives/cio-groups-pledge-brewery-strike-aid.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607004535/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/10/archives/cio-groups-pledge-brewery-strike-aid.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 June 3, 1949 BREWERY TALKS RESUMED; Prospects for Settlement on Strike Held Brighter en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1949/06/03/archives/brewery-talks-resumed-prospects-for-settlement-on-strike-held.html June 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210607004727/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/06/03/archives/brewery-talks-resumed-prospects-for-settlement-on-strike-held.html June 7, 2021 0362-4331 Category:1940s strikes in the United States Brewery strike New York City brewery strike New York City brewery strike New York City brewery strike New York City brewery strike Category:Beer in New York City Category:International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drink and Distillery Workers Category:Labor disputes in New York City