Union rally outside beer distributor

Orange, Conn. (WTNH) - Teamsters workers held a rally Monday morning outside Dichello Distributors Inc. in Orange after the company placed an ad looking for new hires.

The drivers at Dichello have been off the job for 30 days after contract negotiations broke down.

The latest salvo in the dispute was an ad placed by Dichello in Sunday's New Haven Register looking for full time drivers to replace the almost 100-Teamsters workers.

"It's typical for what this guy is trying to do and the union busting tactics," said George Byrnes of Teamsters Local #443. "We had one guy cross the picket line Friday out of 95 guys. So we're holding our own out here."

The Teamsters say the ad is a violation of their current union contract and another tactic to avoid giving them the health care and retirement benefits they've earned.

The company said the expectation of a full pension and free health care is no longer an option in this economy.

In a statement Edward Crowley, President of Dichello Distributors, said "This decision to seek new permanent workers is a difficult one for our company to make, but it is necessary for us to remain competitive in the beer distribution market."