July 23, 2008: A new report this week speculates that Anheuser-Busch management may seek an early contract before the InBev takeover even takes effect.

The report in the St. Louis Beacon quoted several industry and labor experts who expect A-B management to push for an early deal.

The Teamster contract covers 7,000 Teamsters at A-B, and it expires on March 1, 2009.

Talks on the new contract are scheduled for this August in Cincinnati.

Some members hope that an early deal, before the takeover is completed, would keep InBev management out of talks. The Beacon report quotes other experts who expect InBev to play a big role at talks, even if it’s not at the table.

It’s up to the International to get members information about the union and company proposals. We need to be informed and united.

The International has launched a new website to keep members informed about the takeover, and they reached out to other brewery unions in other countries.

TDU will do its part to make sure that members get all the information they need to be involved and win a strong contract.

Read the report in the St. Louis Beacon.

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