Local 727 Stands in Support of Local 830 as Beverage Tax Takes its Toll on Philadelphia Teamsters

The news out of Philadelphia, PA today is disheartening, to say the least, and foreshadows concerns Local 727 has about what could happen in Cook County when the beverage tax goes into effect July 1, 2017.

As indicated in the press release linked to above, 80-100 PepsiCo employees were laid off as well as 25 employees from Canada Dry. Coca-Cola is also planning similar layoffs of its Philadelphia workers.

In the Chicago metropolitan area the cent-per-ounce beverage tax, passed by the Cook County Board in November on a 9-8 vote, is to be enforced on soda, lemonade, sports drinks, and diet drinks.  It’s expected to add 72 cents to a six pack of soda or 68 cents to a two-liter bottle.

“Our members repeatedly warned the Cook County Board that many people would lose their jobs as a result of this onerous beverage tax and that it also would have a relatively small impact on the State’s current budget woes,” said John Coli Jr., President of Local 727. “We certainly don’t want a repeat of what happened in Philadelphia and will call on the county to repeal or avoid the tax. That said, we stand in solid support of our fellow brothers and sisters at Local 830 who lost their jobs today.”

More than 2,500 people are directly employed by the beverage industry in Cook County—which is more than 25 percent of the 9,400 men and women employed statewide by the industry.  Additionally, there are over 3,000 vendors and suppliers in Cook County whose businesses would be impacted by a dip in beverage sales.

Anyone with questions should contact your Business Agent at (847) 696-7500.

Teamsters Local 727 proudly represents 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area.

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

Category: Union News