Coca-Cola Teamsters Honor Strike Lines, Support Striking Brothers and Sisters
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Teamsters at Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc. in Anderson, Ind., have extended their unfair labor practice (ULP) strike to additional company operations. Over 300 Teamsters in Akron, Toledo, and Twinsburg, Ohio, exercised their individual legal and contractual right to refuse to cross the extended picket line, effectively shutting down the company’s Ohio operations.
“The company has been failing to seriously bargain with our members, and we aren’t going to stand for it,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “As long as management refuses to offer a fair contract, we will remain on the picket line. Teamsters around the country have Local 135’s back, and these extended picket lines prove our solidarity is as strong as ever.”
Nearly 50 drivers and merchandisers were forced to strike after the company failed to bargain in good faith. Local 135 members are demanding management come to the table to negotiate a fair contract with serious offers on wages, affordable health care, and with no unilateral changes to the status quo, including their lawful right to not cross or work behind a Teamsters picket line.
“These workers have made it clear that they won’t settle for an agreement that does not respect what they are worth,” said Dustin Roach, President of Local 135. “With the support of hundreds of their Teamsters brothers and sisters, our members are prepared to continue their work stoppage until they get a fair deal. Management needs to stop their games and get people back to work.”
“Coca-Cola Consolidated continues to put unserious offers on the table,” said Mark Morris a merchandiser at Coca-Cola Consolidated and member of Local 135. “They should be ashamed of the health care and short-term disability they provide workers. No one should have to come in while recovering from an injury. We will continue to strike until we get a fair deal.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Maura Drumm, (215) 510-3735
MDrumm@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
