Front-of-house employees at Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in Jamaica Plain, Mass., voted recently to join UFCW Local 328.
The worker-organizers were inspired to seek union representation out of a desire for improved job security, equitable treatment, fair workplace policies, and clearly defined wages and benefits.
“If you’re talking to management over and over and over again and nothing’s changing, you’ve got to try something different,” said Zafi Smith, a senior beer ambassador at the brewery. “Seeing my co-workers reinvigorated by this has been incredible.”
The 32 workers are employed as bartenders, beer ambassadors, cooks, and key holders, who act as managers if the assigned manager is not on duty.
Organizers at UFCW Local 328 are eager to continue working with the brewery’s employees as they negotiate their first contract. “Whether organizing and promoting their solidarity event or filing into the conference room where their union election ballots were tallied, this group of workers has shown they are tight-knit, motivated, and proactive,” said Bruce Bothelo, union organizer.
Samuel Adams Boston Brewery is owned by Boston Beer Company, which owns several other well-known brands, including Dogfish Head, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard, and Sun Cruiser.