Nationwide Strike by Teamsters at Breakthru Beverage Escalates

Anticipated Liquor Shortages as Breakthru Beverage Strike Expands

Customers of a major alcohol distributor might soon face empty shelves as the labor unrest at Breakthru Beverage spreads beyond Florida. Breakthru's operations in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania are now also affected, with over 700 Teamsters refusing to cross the picket line in solidarity with their Florida colleagues.

At the heart of the strike are more than 160 drivers from Florida who initiated the action due to alleged unlawful dismissals over union activities and what they describe as a failure by the company to engage in genuine negotiations. The protest, now two weeks old, has already started impacting liquor deliveries throughout Florida, with nationwide disruptions expected if the situation remains unresolved.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien criticized Breakthru Beverage's management, stating, “Breakthru Beverage has chosen to learn its lesson the hard way, and that’s a mistake that corporate management must own.” He emphasized that the Teamsters are committed to holding the company accountable and will continue expanding their picketing efforts until satisfactory progress is made.

Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference Director Jeff Padellaro expressed disappointment, remarking, “Breakthru should never have let things get to this point — they chose this strike.” He urged the company to resume negotiations, reinstate dismissed workers, and offer a fair contract to their employees in Florida, who have been integral to the company's success.

Central to the workers' grievances is a proposed pay cut ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 annually, with no enhancements to benefits. The Florida Teamsters are advocating for wage and benefit parity with their counterparts at other Breakthru locations. Instead of acknowledging these demands, Breakthru has reportedly turned to hiring replacement workers and union-busting entities to quell the strike.

Tarrence Rhodes, a Tampa-based driver and Teamsters Local 79 member, voiced his frustration: “The cost of everything is going up — my mortgage, my taxes, my kids’ sports. Then Breakthru tells me they’re cutting my pay?” Rhodes, who has been with the company for several years, described the company's stance as "simply cruel."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents over 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. More details can be found at Teamster.org. Follow updates on their social media platforms, including @Teamsters on X and Facebook.com/teamsters.