Five thousand workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters at several Anheuser-Busch breweries in the U.S. are threatening to go on strike as early as late February after the 99% of the represented employees voted in December to authorize a strike against the American brewer. The workers’ union contract is set to expire February 29.

According to The Guardian, employees at 12 Anheuser-Busch factories across the U.S. are seeking a significant wage increase, greater job security and improved retirement options and benefits.

“Without a contract by February 29, there won’t be any beer come March,” said the Teamsters union in a social media post.

This will be the first contract negotiations between Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters with union president Sean O’Brien leading the charge. The last contract between the union and Anheuser-Busch included a $2.50 increase in hourly wages over a five-year period as well as higher medical benefit costs for new employees.

“If Anheuser-Busch’s executives can’t get their act together to negotiate an agreement that respects workers, we will see them out on the streets,” O’Brien said in a statement.

The union said that it has not met with Anheuser-Busch for contract talks since November 16, 2023 after the company refused to discuss the topic of job security.

“Anheuser-Busch is aware of the Teamsters’ strike authorization vote, which is common during labor negotiations,” said a company spokesperson. “We have a long-standing track record of reaching agreements with organized labor and look forward to resuming negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that continues to recognize and reward our employees.”