Some Local 812 members and employers were faced with overwhelming damage after Hurricane Sandy hit in fall 2012. Local 812 stepped up relief efforts within our communities and for our members, helping them get donations from our Local and also from Teamster Joint Council 16 and the International Union. We also aided employers, which ended up saving jobs.
Phoenix Beverage on Pier 7 in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn was completely under water. Hundreds of beer pallets collapsed to the ground, pallets of kegs were thrown through walls. When it was all said and done, the overwhelming destruction from Sandy's wind and flooding caused damage to product, property, trucks and equipment and an estimated loss in sales of $30 million.
Faced with the possibility of financial ruin and possible closing, the owner of Phoenix Beverage reached out to Local 812. In the effort to save 450 union jobs, Local 812 recruited politicians with the support of Joint Council 16 President George Miranda and JC 16 Political Action Director Heather Boudin. We secured financial relief for Phoenix Beverage through the efforts of labor friendly elected officials including State Senator Diane Savino, Congressman Joe Crowley, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn as well as 812 attorneys. We were able to prove that damage was caused by a tropical storm and not flooding, so the insurance could cover more of the damage.
We are proud to say that Phoenix is back delivering product as always and recently acquired Polar Beverages for distribution in 4 boroughs and Long Island.
