CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Local Teamsters ratified a new five-year contract on Saturday morning with the local distributor for Budweiser and Yuengling beers in the Charleston and Parkersburg areas.

The contract, approved by 92 percent of the union's members, will give warehouse employees wage increases of $95 a week over the life of the contract. Delivery truck drivers will receive an additional 3.25 cents in commissions for each case of beer delivered.

The new contract with Proud Eagle Inc., which recently purchased Central Distributing, will also give employees 8.5 percent pension increases over the life of the contract.

Mountain Eagle, Proud Eagle's sister company, distributes Budweiser products in the Beckley region.

Although Proud Eagle recognized the union contract when it purchased Central Distributing, this is the first contract negotiated between the parties.

Ralph Winter, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 175 based in South Charleston, said, "We were uncertain how the negotiations would proceed with the new owners.

"However, because of the strong commitment of our negotiating committee and members, the company recognized the value of the employees' hard work and was willing to agree to reasonable wage and pension increases."

Yuengling, the nation's oldest brewer based in Pottsville, Pa., markets beers in 12 states and Washington, D.C. In March, Yuengling officials announced they would soon begin marketing their products in West Virginia.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Local Teamsters ratified a new five-year contract on Saturday morning with the local distributor for Budweiser and Yuengling beers in the Charleston and Parkersburg areas.

The contract, approved by 92 percent of the union's members, will give warehouse employees wage increases of $95 a week over the life of the contract. Delivery truck drivers will receive an additional 3.25 cents in commissions for each case of beer delivered.

The new contract with Proud Eagle Inc., which recently purchased Central Distributing, will also give employees 8.5 percent pension increases over the life of the contract.

Mountain Eagle, Proud Eagle's sister company, distributes Budweiser products in the Beckley region.

Although Proud Eagle recognized the union contract when it purchased Central Distributing, this is the first contract negotiated between the parties.

Ralph Winter, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 175 based in South Charleston, said, "We were uncertain how the negotiations would proceed with the new owners.

"However, because of the strong commitment of our negotiating committee and members, the company recognized the value of the employees' hard work and was willing to agree to reasonable wage and pension increases."

Yuengling, the nation's oldest brewer based in Pottsville, Pa., markets beers in 12 states and Washington, D.C. In March, Yuengling officials announced they would soon begin marketing their products in West Virginia.