Share this article Share this article TUKWILA, Wash., July 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of over 300 Teamsters Local 174 members working at Columbia Distributing came together this morning to ratify an industry-leading contract. The five-year agreement includes record-setting wage and pension increases, along with outstanding medical benefits. This contract settlement comes on the heels of a unanimous strike vote that left workers on the brink of a work stoppage. This new contract averts a strike, and makes these hardworking drivers and warehouse workers among the highest paid in the beverage industry. "This was a long and complicated negotiation," said Shop Steward and veteran rank-and-file Bargaining Committee member Chris Martin. "Our members have been working nonstop since the pandemic started 15 months ago, and our membership wanted to be rewarded for that. The Bargaining Committee and membership would like to thank the company for rewarding that hard work."