Union Voice/Readers Write: Peace through beer

"As a lifelong member of Milwaukee Brewery Workers Local 8 (now UAW) at Miller Brewing, my step mother's father carried a pewter cup strapped to his belt at work," writes Jeff Eagan (NTEU 213). "At critical points in the brewing process, taps in the pipes allowed union members to conduct ad hoc quality assurance tests at any time on shift in unlimited quantities.  This contract provision was essential to maintain high quality product and labor peace. In the nineteen eighties, plant safety concerns brought about contract modifications to provide 12 free cases of beer per month, requiring union members to take beer out in the bottle, rather than under the belt.   In solidarity, family members like myself helped him dispose of the benefit, keeping his supply fresh..." 
photo courtesy jk'smisc.beerpages

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