Woodford Reserve Distillery Must Bargain Despite Teamsters Loss

A historic Kentucky distillery must recognize and bargain with an International Brotherhood of Teamsters affiliate after an NLRB administrative law judge determined that the company violated labor law by announcing wage increases and giving workers $30 bottles of bourbon ahead of a union election.

Applying the National Labor Relations Board’s new framework under Cemex Construction Materials LLC, Administrative Law Judge Andrew Gollin said Monday that Woodford Reserve Distillery “committed serious violations requiring the election to be set aside” and that the employer instead should be required to bargain despite the union’s loss.

“As stated, granting wage increases and other ...