Elysian Teamsters vote to authorize a strike on Saturday, October 12.

Workers at Elysian Brewery, who are represented by Teamsters 117, voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike today. The vote was held Saturday afternoon after an update meeting at the Teamsters Union Hall in Tukwila.

The group of 30 workers has been bogged down in protracted negotiations with Elysian's parent company, AB Inbev, for over a year, fighting for a first-time contract. Instead of bargaining fairly and valuing its workforce, the company hired a union-busting law firm and appears intent on sabotaging the negotiations process.

With the backing of Teamsters across the country, Elysian workers are pushing back. On September 28, they rallied for a fair contract outside the company's facility in Georgetown, and they have been distributing leaflets, informing the public about AB Inbev's anti-union tactics. Now, they are starting to make preparations for a possible strike. 

"Our strike authorization sends a message that we're serious. We want to see a contract we feel good about, one that we can actually vote on and feel confident is going to take care of us," said Shannon Mullins, a quality assurance lead who has worked at Elysian for 6 years and is a member of the union negotiations committee. 

Mullins says decent wage increases and better healthcare are priorities for the group as is language in the contract that gives workers the ability to stand in solidarity with other Teamsters.

Improving healthcare benefits was also on the mind of Kevin Lindsay when he attended Saturday's vote. 

"My doctor prescribed me medication that he said would improve my day-to-day immensely, and the insurance denied it," the three-year Elysian employee said. "It would be nice to have a medical insurance that trusts in your doctor rather than a company that just trusts in who they give money to. If my doctor says I need something, then I need it."

Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher speaks with a Fox 13 reporter after the vote. 

After tallying the votes, the group gathered in the union hall parking lot and talked about next steps. When a Fox 13 reporter showed up, they held a banner first behind Mullins and then behind Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher as he spoke to media. 

"This company needs to stop playing games and come to the bargaining table with a serious offer that recognizes these workers," Dascher said. "Our members are united and have shown again today that they are ready to take bold, concerted action until they have a fair contract proposal that honors their labor." 

The union is giving Elysian Brewing two full bargaining days on October 24 and 25 to get the deal done. If the company refuses, further action is imminent.