Nebraska Dems Push Beer and Bar Boycott as Union Strike Continues
by Matt Johnson
OMAHA — Nebraska Democrats have rallied in support of Teamsters Local 554 workers, who have been on strike against Premier Midwest Beer & Beverage, by supporting a boycott of beers and local bars associated with the beverage distributor.
The Sarpy County Democrats announced solidarity for the boycott by moving their candidate kickoff event last week from Lucky Bucket Brewery to the Teamsters Local 554 union hall. Lucky Bucket beer is distributed by Premier Midwest Beer & Beverage.
“We recently learned that Lucky Bucket is involved with the Teamsters dispute, and the Union is asking supporters to boycott the location,” the Sarpy County Democrats shared on Instagram. “In solidarity with and support of unions, we have chosen to move the event.”
Last week, State Sen. John Cavanaugh, a Democratic candidate for Congress, held a town hall at the union hall in solidarity with the union, who were striking during a bitterly cold day, with temperatures around 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
“They’re in the middle of a strike right now, if you haven’t heard about it, out at one of the beverage distributor companies out in the Gretna area,” Cavanaugh said. “And so they have an ongoing strike with the weather this bad. They’re out there still on the picket line.”
Cavanaugh also encouraged attendees to show their support by boycotting affected brands of beer.
“I don’t know the whole list of local beers you’re not supposed to be drinking right now, but I know Miller Lite is on the list, because that’s a beer I often drink,” Cavanaugh said. “So I’m not drinking Miller Lite at the moment. Blue Moon, which my wife drinks, is also one that their employers are in conflict with.”
Other Democratic candidates and unions, including the Nebraska State Education Association, have also visited the picket lines. As the strike stretches into its sixth week, the visible support from Nebraska Democrats underscores a broader commitment to organized labor amid their ongoing dispute.
— Matt Johnson is a freelance reporter with The Plains Sentinel.
