Anheuser-Busch has reached a five-year contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for employees at its 12 breweries, including in Van Nuys. The contract, announced Wednesday, is worth more than $2 billion in wages and benefits and it will take effect immediately, with wage increases retroactive to March 1. The Teamsters currently earn more than $70 an hour in total compensation – wages, health, welfare and pension benefits. The new contract provides more than $24,000 in additional wages and bonuses for the average employee over the contract term. “This new contract with Anheuser-Busch ensures that Teamsters will continue to be the highest-compensated brewery workers in the United States,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, in a statement. It’s the first contract the beer maker has negotiated with its workers since it was bought by Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. of Leuven, Belgium for $52 billion in 2008. “We appreciate the hard work and professionalism of the union negotiators that helped craft an agreement that responds to changes in the marketplace, and that is good for both our people and our company,” the brewer said in a statement.
