Quality Beverage Workers Join Teamsters, Shaking Up MA Beer Market

TAUNTON, Mass. – January 27, 2026 – In a significant move for Massachusetts' beverage industry, more than 80 merchandisers and salespeople at Quality Beverage have voted to join Teamsters Local 170. The decision, confirmed today, reflects a growing desire among the workers for higher wages, improved benefits, and a more substantial voice in their workplace. This successful organizing drive expands the union's presence at the state's largest Anheuser-Busch distributor, where over 170 drivers and warehouse workers are already represented by the Teamsters.

A Growing Union Footprint

The vote represents a strategic victory for the workers and the union, unifying a significant portion of the company's workforce under a single banner. The newly organized employees, responsible for sales and in-store product placement across a territory covering more than 75 percent of Massachusetts, were reportedly inspired by the gains their unionized colleagues have already achieved.

"I am proud of these workers for remaining united throughout this organizing campaign," said Shannon R. George, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 170, in a statement. "They saw the benefits that their co-workers gained through Teamsters representation and wanted the same respect in the workplace."

This sentiment was echoed by employees on the ground. The push for unionization stems from a desire to transform a demanding job into a sustainable career path. Workers cited concerns over compensation, job security, and workplace conditions as primary motivators for seeking collective bargaining power.

"I voted to become a Teamster in the spirit of those who came before me and those who will come after me," said Tyle Benson, a merchandiser with Quality Beverage. "I want to build a career here, one that includes better and safer working conditions, livable wages, better benefits, and job security for me and my co-workers."

Demands in a Demanding Market

The call for "livable wages" and "safer working conditions" highlights the challenging realities of the beverage distribution industry. Research into the Massachusetts labor market reveals a wide disparity in compensation for these roles. While some unionized merchandiser positions at competitors like Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast can pay upwards of $24 per hour, other non-union roles in the state have been reported to pay as much as 26% below the national average. For beer merchandisers specifically, the average annual pay in Massachusetts hovers around $40,000, a figure that many workers find insufficient for the physically demanding nature of the job, which involves heavy lifting and long hours.

Similarly, sales representative salaries can vary dramatically, ranging from around $42,000 to over $83,000 annually, depending on the company and the specific products being sold. The unionization drive at Quality Beverage suggests that its sales and merchandising staff believe their compensation and benefits packages lag behind what could be achieved through a collective bargaining agreement, especially when compared to the standards set by their already-unionized peers in the warehouse.

A History of Negotiation

This is not the first time Teamsters Local 170 and Quality Beverage have faced each other at the bargaining table. The union has a long-standing relationship representing the company's drivers and warehouse workers. This history includes a 23-day strike in 2017, which concluded with the ratification of a contract that secured wage increases and stabilized healthcare costs for union members. That precedent demonstrates the union's willingness to take strong action to achieve its goals and its track record of securing favorable terms.

Local 170's activities with other major beverage distributors in the region further illustrate its bargaining priorities. The union recently secured a five-year agreement for members at Pepsi-Cola, which included significant wage and pension increases and a transition to a Teamsters health plan. Conversely, in 2021, Teamsters at Coca-Cola Northeast went on strike to successfully fight back against a proposal that would have stripped them of seniority rights, signaling that job security and established work rules will likely be key points in the upcoming negotiations with Quality Beverage.

Ripple Effects Across the Supply Chain

The successful organizing campaign at Quality Beverage, which is owned by New England's premier distributor Martignetti Companies, is poised to have effects that extend far beyond its Taunton headquarters. As the largest distributor for Anheuser-Busch in the state, any changes to its labor costs or operational structure could influence the broader supply chain.

"This win highlights the power of union organizing," said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. "Our strong collective bargaining agreements continue to inspire more workers to join the Teamsters. These members keep the company moving and deserve a contract that honors their worth."

Padellaro's statement underscores the potential for this victory to act as a catalyst. Other non-unionized beverage distributors in Massachusetts and neighboring states will be watching closely. The success at Quality Beverage could embolden workers in similar roles to launch their own organizing campaigns, potentially leading to a wave of unionization across the industry. For Quality Beverage and its parent company, the immediate future involves entering into contract negotiations for this new bargaining unit, a process that will test the company's stated commitment to its employees against the union's proven ability to secure substantial gains for its members.