"Anheuser-Busch and Teamsters Reach Tentative Deal, Averting Potential Strike"
Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters union have reached a tentative contract agreement, averting a strike of 5,000 union members. The deal includes an immediate $4 an hour raise and an $8 an hour increase over the life of the contract, raising pay by an average of 23%. It also provides job security, a $2,500 signing bonus, increased vacation accrual, and restoration of retirement benefits. The deal still needs to be ratified by rank-and-file Teamsters, and comes after a difficult year for Anheuser-Busch. Strikes have become more common in the last year, with unions finding significant success in negotiations.