Anheuser-Busch employees in Newark and around the country are looking to get an increase in strike pay from the Teamsters union if they walk out.
Teamsters were having an informational picket today at the brewery ahead of the strike deadline.
The workers' contract at the manufacturer runs out on Feb. 29. On March 1, Teamsters employees at all 12 breweries across the U.S. plan to walk out.
Teamsters announced it will more than double strike pay to $1,000 per week for 5,000 Anheuser-Busch Teamsters members nationwide. Teamsters officials say they have a strike fund of more than $300 million and plan to use it to defend their members against those who threaten to destroy their livelihoods.
Anheuser-Busch Teamsters across the country voted in December by 99% to authorize a strike if the company does not come to terms on what they consider to be a strong agreement by the end of the month. They say employees bring in $58 billion a year for the global beermaker.
News 12 New Jersey has reached out to Anheuser-Busch officials for comment.