Philadelphia Teamsters Denounce Destructive Soda Tax During City Hall Rally

(PHILADELPHIA) – Hundreds of Teamsters that deliver soda and other beverages to locations across the metro region were joined by supporters from both business and the community at City Hall today to protest the destructive soda tax that Mayor Michael Nutter is attempting to levy on the over-taxed citizens of Philadelphia.

If enacted by the city council, the Sweetened Beverage Tax will cost jobs and hurt businesses in Philadelphia. Beverage industry studies show that when soda prices rise 10 percent, sales drop 8-9 percent. This would impact the entire industry – manufacturing, delivery and retail.

“The passage of the tax would jeopardize the financial livelihoods of many hard-working families,” said Danny Grace, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 830 in Philadelphia. “This is not just about the thousands of Teamsters who will stand to lose their jobs if any form of this tax is passed, but also small retailers, their employees and workers in our restaurant and food service industries.”