Shortly after the repeal in December 1933, the nucleus of the yet to be chartered International Union was several AFL federally chartered locals representing workers in the wine and liquor industries. Starting with 7000 members in NY, NJ, Illinois and Kentucky they met in Washington D.C. in December 1940 and were chartered as the “Distillery, Rectifying, Wine and Allied Workers’ International Union of America, AFL.”

Much of the initial membership was in sales. Organizing expansion started in liquor production as well as sales. Expansion then moved on to Canada, and finally the California wineries.

In 1978 the Internationals name was changed to Distillery, Wine and Allied Workers Union AFL-CIO/CLC to better reflect the membership composition. Local 2D was a local within this international until the merge with the UFCW in 1995.

Local 2D grew in strength over the years despite a membership decrease due to the consolidation of major wholesalers. During that time, the Union and its membership held strong, negotiating and maintaining a high level of benefits and working conditions.

Through Local 2D’s merger with Local 19D in 2001, Local 18D in 2010, and organizing efforts, Local 2D has become stronger. Today we represent salespeople in Metro NY, NJ, Connecticut, and Upstate NY.(Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, Kingston, & Buffalo), Washington DC and Delaware.