USBG Expands Advocacy: Partnering for Bartenders' Voices

USBG Expands Advocacy: Partnering for Bartenders' Voices

USBG has always been a strong advocate for bartenders in local communities, and now we're expanding that voice to the national stage. USBG recently joined two additional coalitions to ensure bartenders are part of crucial conversations and policy development that impact our industry and members. These new partnerships reflect our commitment to elevating bartenders' voices in the policies that shape our industry.

As Bo Shuff, USBG's Executive Director, explains, "Advocacy is one of the four pillars of USBG's work. One of the reasons I was excited to join the USBG team is the opportunity to grow our efforts in this area and ensure that the stories of the people in our community are told."

DISCUS

USBG has been a trusted partner of DISCUS, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, for years. This week, our Executive Director will be in Washington, DC, with DISCUS members for their Conference and Legislative Fly-In. Recently, USBG also signed on to DISCUS’s “Toasts Not Tariffs” campaign, pushing for the US to maintain current tariff levels on spirit, beer, and wine imports.

How Can USBG Members Get Involved?
You can help by signing onto the petition here: Toast Not Tariffs Petition

IRC (Independent Restaurant Coalition)

Just last week, USBG signed a new partnership with the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC). The IRC represents bars and restaurants across the country, working on key national issues like wages, credit card policies, childcare, and third-party apps. USBG is now an Associate Partner and will serve on the IRC Advisory Council.

In addition, USBG members will soon have access to IRC membership benefits. Check out their policy priorities here: IRC Policy Priorities

The IRC is also on Capitol Hill in DC this week, and USBG will be meeting with their team to discuss ongoing efforts.

ABIC (American Business Immigration Coalition)

USBG has also become a member of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), a bipartisan group that advocates for immigration reform. With immigrants making up nearly one-third of all hospitality workers, this is an important issue for our community. ABIC’s work focuses on creating a pathway to citizenship for non-citizen residents, developing a visiting worker program for seasonal labor, and improving border security with a focus on crime prevention. USBG will be participating in ABIC's Hospitality Roundtable to ensure the needs of bartenders and front-line workers are considered in these discussions.