Bourbon battle continues: Striking workers seek support at festival

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Bourbon Capital of the World shines during the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Visitors have come from all over to soak up plenty of good music, to take home unique gifts, and to enjoy a glass of the festival's namesake.

Saturday, many visitors took home something else too.

"How you doing, buddy? Would you like one of these papers explaining about the strike going on at Four Roses?" said Jeff Royalty as he strolled through the festival's Spirit Garden with a stack of fliers in his hand.

"We've got some phone numbers. We've got some stuff on Facebook there. Just encourage Four Roses to do the right thing and take care of their people."

Royalty's one of more than 50 Four Roses Bourbon workers who are currently on strike, and they're using the festival to win the ear of anyone who'll listen.

"We're fighting for the rights of the next guy," said Royalty to one group of listeners.

The strike began more than a week ago. Royalty, who's also president of the local union, UFCW Local 10D, says the strike isn't about money but fairness. He says the strike is over possible five-year labor contracts that would strip some benefits from new hires.

"You know, the next generation is the future. This man to the left of me is a third generation distiller at our plant. A lot of these people are second generation," said Royalty, surrounded by fellow workers and strikers who all wore neon green shirts. "It may be their children. It may be your children."

As the strike enters week two, Royalty and the others hopes it'll end soon.

"Potential good news," he told WDRB News. "We've got a date set up with a federal mediator for Friday the 21st."

Until then, he and the others will keep getting the word out to people like John Frederick, a member of the Bourbon Brotherhood, who strolled through the festival grounds Saturday afternoon.

"If my son was looking for a job in doing things like that, then yes, I'd be more concerned for him," said Frederick.

In addition to the picket lines and the fliers, the unionized workers have launched a website petition, social media accounts, and even a SnapChat filter.

As for Four Roses ownership, WDRB News reached out for comment Saturday but hasn't heard back yet. Four Roses' distillery is located in Lawrenceburg. Bourbon is bottled and stored at a facility in Coxs Creek.