Teamsters at Breakthru Beverage Extend Strike, Demand Fair Contract

Teamsters Strengthen Strike Lines Against Breakthru Beverage in Multiple Cities

For more information, contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3735 Email: mdrumm@teamster.org

In a strategic move to reinforce their stance, Teamsters at Breakthru Beverage locations in Cicero, Ill., and St. Louis have broadened their unfair labor practice strike, including sites in Kansas City, Mo., and Champaign, Ill. Employees in Kansas City and Champaign have invoked their rights, as per their legal and contractual agreements, to refrain from crossing these extended picket lines. Teamsters across the country with similar contractual protections remain ready to act.

More than 215 warehouse workers and drivers have taken to the picket line due to numerous unfair labor practices alleged against the company. Represented by Teamsters Locals 600, 688, and 710, these members demand fair negotiations, free from surface bargaining and regressive proposals.

“Breakthru Beverage has been illegally trying to diminish our members’ power at the bargaining table,” declared Sean M. O’Brien, Teamsters General President. “They know the strength of our union when members act on their right as Teamsters — guaranteed in their collective bargaining agreement — to honor picket lines in solidarity with their brothers and sisters. We are here to hold Breakthru accountable for their unlawful behavior. The 1.3-million member Teamsters Union will continue to stand in solidarity with all Breakthru Teamsters until a fair agreement is reached.”

The company is reportedly pressuring workers to relinquish their rights not to cross or work behind picket lines, a move the Teamsters firmly oppose, insisting that these contractual rights were hard-earned and non-negotiable.

Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, pointed out, “The company has been lying to workers and using scare tactics to try to get our members to cross these picket lines. Breakthru Teamsters’ solidarity is strong and these extended picket lines show that management has failed to intimidate us. It is time for Breakthru to come back to the table and negotiate a fair deal. It’s up to management when this strike ends.”

Local 710 member and Breakthru Beverage driver Tony Ortiz emphasized the importance of union support, stating, “We just want a deal that protects all our rights as Teamsters. The support of our brothers and sisters at other Breakthru Beverage facilities gives us the power to defend ourselves against management’s insulting and illegal practices. Our solidarity is strong, and we will continue to fight to protect it.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents over 1.3 million members across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For additional details, visit Teamster.org, follow us on X at @Teamsters, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.