Lakefront Brewery workers vote to unionize, NLRB hearing set for Friday as owner chooses to not recognize effort

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dozens of employees at a popular Milwaukee brewery have voted to form a union.

But their employer has yet to recognize their effort, setting up what could be a contentious battle.

More than 70% of Lakefront Brewery employees voted to unionize a few weeks ago.

Rather than recognize that union, the brewery owner is taking things to the National Labor Relations Board.

But the employees are confident in their efforts, regardless of how long it may take.

Peter Rickman told us, "It's time for Lakefront Brewery to sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate a contract."

Rickman is the president and business manager of the Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization, which the Lakefront workers are seeking to join.

MASH is trying to apply pressure on the owners of Lakefront Brewery after more than 70% of workers there voted to authorize a union.

When that happens, employers can either voluntarily recognize the union and start bargaining or take the issue to the National Labor Relations Board.

Lakefront has chosen the latter, which means the NLRB will hear from both sides, then hold a vote among employees.

Rickman said the workers already made their intentions clear with the authorization vote. "Delays are denial. Workers have already chosen," he said.

Rickman said the Lakefront workers want to improve wages, staffing, and scheduling, and secure employment protections and dispute resolution. "Folks quit the jobs they hate, but they work to change the jobs they love."

Rickman declined to say if one incident or issue triggered the desire to form a union. But he did say employees expressed some concerns. "Already, our union has documented arguable, unfair labor practices against the company."

Rickman did not offer specific instances to protect the anonymity of those involved.

But he did say the goal of the unionization effort is to balance the power between the workers and their employer.

We reached out to Lakefront Brewery owner Russ Klisch for an interview or comment, but he did not respond.

The NLRB hearing will take place Friday, Nov. 22, when the two sides will hammer out the logistics for the union vote.