Teamsters, Anheuser-Busch reach tentative deal to avert a strike [Video]

Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters union have reached a tentative contract agreement that averts a strike of 5,000 union members who had been prepared to walk out at midnight Thursday.The Teamsters say the deal will grant members an immediate $4 an hour raise and an $8 an hour increase over the life of the contract, raising pay of members by an average of 23%.“After a long day and a longer campaign, we’ve reached an agreement that sets a new high standard for the brewing industry,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a statement Wednesday evening.Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s largest brewer, also praised the deal.“We are pleased to have reached a tentative bargaining agreement … that continues to recognize and reward the talent, commitment, and hard work of our employees while also positioning the company for long-term success,” said the statement from the company.It was a sharp shift from just hours earlier. The …