Teamsters Extend Picket Lines to Breakthru Beverage Facilities Nationwide

[Omaha Steve]

Alcohol Distributor’s Customers Should Prepare for Significant Product Shortages

Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

(NATIONWIDE) – Teamsters at Breakthru Beverage in Florida have extended their unfair labor practice (ULP) strike to operations in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. As a show of solidarity, more than 700 Teamsters in those states are refusing to cross the picket line.

More than 160 drivers at Breakthru locations across Florida were forced on strike after the company illegally fired workers for union activity and refused to bargain in good faith with the Teamsters. The strike has slowed liquor distribution in Florida for the past two weeks. With actions spreading, more restaurants and liquor stores nationwide can expect disruptions to product delivery in light of Breakthru’s violations.

“Breakthru Beverage has chosen to learn its lesson the hard way, and that’s a mistake that corporate management must own,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Breakthru has broken the law. They are disrespecting the workforce at every turn. But the Teamsters are here to hold them accountable. With solidarity at our backs, we will continue to extend picket lines where we can until Breakthru finally chooses to do right by working people.”

“Breakthru should never have let things get to this point — they chose this strike,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “It is well past time for Breakthru to come back to the table, to reinstate workers the company unlawfully fired, and to make a fair deal to the families who have made Breakthru successful in Florida. Let’s stop this nonsense from management and get people back to work.”

FULL story: https://teamster.org/2025/06/teamsters-extend-picket-lines-to-breakthru-beverage-facilities-nationwide/