500 Starbucks locations voted to unionize

Barista at one Starbucks in Bellingham, Washington, became the 500th store to join the Starbucks Workers United union on Monday.

Since the first position voted unanimously In 2021, more than 11,000 baristas joined the union, according to a press release Tuesday.

“This important milestone is a testament to workers building power from the ground up,” said Lynne Fox, president of Workers United. “Starbucks partners have boldly demanded a voice on the job and with it strong contracts that ensure respect, a living wage, racial and gender equity, and job planning. equal and more.”

Unions and Starbucks jointly announced in February that the negotiations will take place through a collaborative process towards a basic framework. They have met at the bargaining table every month since April and 100 new locations have successfully unionized in the past six months, the union said.

CEO Brian Niccolwho took over the coffee chain’s top job in September, said last week that the company is committed to negotiating in good faith with the union as the two sides work to reach a labor agreement. The framework they are negotiating will be the basis for collective bargaining agreements between individual stores and the company.

Both the union and Starbucks noted that the negotiations were productive and contained advanced measures.

The bartenders from the Bellingham location sent one letters for Niccol to state their reasons for organizing.

“Starbucks’ ultimate success in rebuilding depends on whether we, as baristas, have the support we need to do our jobs well, from That way, we can ensure customers enjoy their Starbucks experience and keep coming back.”

In a statement, a Starbucks spokesperson said “we respect our partners’ right to choose on the subject of unionization” and added that “we are proud of the progress we have made in negotiation and commitment to continue working together to achieve our common goals.”