Strikers approve Kentucky distillery pact

BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Striking workers at one of the world’s largest bourbon producers voted to a ratify a new contract Saturday, a day after announcing a tentative agreement with Heaven Hill.

About 420 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 23D went on strike about six weeks ago, forming picket lines at the company’s operations in Bardstown, after rejecting a previous contract proposal.

The tentative agreement came just days after the company signaled it intended to start hiring permanent replacement workers for bottling and warehouse operations. The workers then voted to ratify the five-year agreement Saturday, according to a statement from Heaven Hill.

“We look forward to welcoming our team members as we transition back to normal operations,” company spokesperson Josh Hafer said in the statement.

The dispute revolved around health care and scheduling, the latter a sign of the bourbon industry’s growing pains as it tries to keep up with global demand.

Family-owned and operated Heaven Hill produces Evan Williams, one of the world’s top-selling bourbons.