Posts Categorized: Distillery

A new digital toolkit for locals from the Communications Department will help members across the country show support for UFCW Local 23D members on strike at the Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown, Ky. The digital toolkit includes talking points about the strike, as well as social media graphics. A flyer is also available for locals to use in support of the striking workers. 

The over 400 members of UFCW Local 23D who work at the Heaven Hill distillery are on strike to protest a proposed five-year contract that reduces wages and benefits. The proposed contract lifts a cap on health insurance premium increases that reduce take-home pay, cuts overtime, and drastically changes work schedules.

UFCW Local 23D has been in negotiations with the company for nearly two months to reach an agreement for these Kentucky workers even as Heaven Hill reported $500 million in annual revenue and the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In July 2021, the union called for a federal mediator to join the process to help to advance talks with the company. On Sept. 9, Heaven Hill workers voted on the company’s latest proposal and 96 percent of workers rejected the contract proposal. The strike began on Sept. 11 at midnight. Since the strike started, the company has canceled the workers’ insurance and sent them all COBRA forms.

UFCW Local 23D recently condemned a new move by the distillery to hire non-union workers in an attempt to push longtime employees out of jobs. The local also launched a new #StepUpHH grassroots campaign in support of the Heaven Hill workers, which has already sparked over 5,000 emails demanding Heaven Hill executives restore employee health care and help end the strike by reaching an agreement on a fair contract that protects good Kentucky jobs.

“Heaven Hill workers launched a new grassroots campaign to show the company that Kentucky families and Americans across the country are calling for action on a fair contract to protect these good Kentucky jobs,” said UFCW Local 23D President Matt Aubrey in a statement. “In less than a week, support has poured in from the Bardstown community and so many others with nearly 2,000 supporters sending a total of over 5,000 emails to Max Shapira and other company executives.

“As the union for Heaven Hill workers, UFCW Local 23D is calling on the company to end the delays and work together with us to finally reach an agreement on a fair contract so that we can end this strike and get these hard-working Kentucky men and women back on the job,” Aubrey added.

Heaven Hill Kentucky distillery workers represented by the UFCW produce a wide range of products, including Blackheart Rum, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers VS Brandy, Deep Eddy Vodka, Elijah Craig 12 Year Old, Evan Williams Kentucky Black, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey, Henry McKenna Kentucky, HPNOTIQ Liqueur, Old Fitzgerald Kentucky, and Two Fingers Tequila.

The digital toolkit is available here.

Over 400 members of UFCW Local 23D who work at Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown, Ky., are on strike to protest a proposed five-year contract that reduces wages and benefits. The proposed contract lifts a cap on health insurance premium increases that reduce take-home pay, cuts overtime, and drastically changes work schedules.

UFCW Local 23D has been in negotiations with the company for six months to reach an agreement for these Kentucky workers even as Heaven Hill reported $500 million in annual revenue and the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In July 2021, the union called for a federal mediator to join the process to help to advance talks with the company. On September 9, Heaven Hill workers voted on the company’s latest proposal and 96 percent of workers rejected the contract proposal. The strike began on September 11 at midnight. Since the strike started, the company has canceled the workers’ insurance and sent them all COBRA forms.

“Heaven Hill distillery workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic since it began and helped produce the hand sanitizer that kept Kentucky doctors, nurses, and so many other first responders safe when COVID-19 first ripped through our communities,” said UFCW Local 23D President Matt Aubrey in a statement. “When so many businesses shut down, Heaven Hill essential workers stepped up, helping to support our families and keep the company and our local economy strong throughout this crisis.”

“Health care price hikes that reduce take-home pay, cuts to overtime, and drastic scheduling changes are no way to recognize the incredible service of these Kentucky essential workers, but that is exactly what Heaven Hill is trying to do with this contract,” Aubrey said. “How can a company making $500 million a year justify making health care more expensive for essential workers in the middle of a pandemic? What kind of message does it send when a family-owned company is pushing scheduling changes that make it harder for workers to support and care for their own families?”

“Kentucky families have been working at Heaven Hill and proudly serving our communities for generations,” Aubrey added. “They want to ensure that these continue to be good jobs that their kids and grandkids can count on so their families can continue this proud tradition of making the high-quality Kentucky bourbon that has powered our economy for decades. Heaven Hill has a responsibility to do right by these Kentucky essential workers and we are urging the company to step up and provide the strong contract that they have earned and deserve.”

Heaven Hill Kentucky distillery workers represented by the UFCW produce a wide range of products, including Blackheart Rum, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers VS Brandy, Deep Eddy Vodka, Elijah Craig 12 Year Old, Evan Williams Kentucky Black, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey, Henry McKenna Kentucky, HPNOTIQ Liqueur, Old Fitzgerald Kentucky, and Two Fingers Tequila.

You can support these workers as they continue to stand together for a better contract by sending a message to Heaven Hill here.