October 11, 2024 3:50 a.m. 

Teamsters have extended picket lines to every Bigfoot Beverages location including its distribution facility in Bend.

A release from Teamsters Joint Council 37 calls the move part of an unfair labor practice strike led by more than 240 members of Teamsters locals 206 and 324.

Secretary-Treasurer of Local 324 Chris Muhs said, “We’re not going anywhere until this company comes back to the table with a reasonable offer”. Muh’s said, “Our picket lines remain strong, and these brave workers will do whatever it takes to maintain their fully funded pension plan and union protections”.

Union officials accuse the company of breaking the law by trying to eliminate a core pension benefit and moving to what they call an “inferior 401(k) plan”. Company officials detail their side of the story by providing information about their offer on the company’s website: https://bigfootbeverages.com/. A Bigfoot Beverages release said the company is “disappointed” over the decision to strike without taking a membership vote on what it calls, the “Last, Best & Final Proposal” from the company.

Bigfoot distributes Pepsi products and craft beers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Teamsters at the company work as drivers, salespersons, service technicians, merchandisers, and vending and warehouse workers. They have been on strike since September 19th. Active picket lines have been operating around the clock in Roseburg, Eugene, Springfield, Newport, and Coos Bay.