Getty ImagesThe StoryStarbucks employees are brewing up some change. I’m latte to this story. Catch me up.Throughout the pandemic, workers in the US have been re-assessing their jobs (think: hours, wages, benefits, and treatment). It’s led to a boost in the number of workers trying to join labor unions so that they can improve job conditions through collective bargaining. That includes Starbucks staff. In August, employees at three Buffalo-area stores said ‘it’s time to go Grande.’ And filed a petition with regulators to unionize – citing things like years of understaffing, poor training, and faulty equipment. After a month of mail-in voting, the results are in. *Sips cappuccino.* Go on.Out of the three stores, one location voted to unionize (hi, Elmwood Ave Starbucks). Meaning, it could soon be the first out of nearly 9,000 Starbucks stores nationwide to join a labor union. And it may be the shot of espresso other locations need to jump onboard. Currently, there are three more Starbucks locations in Buffalo, NY, and one in Mesa, AZ, that have petitions to join a labor union. Elmwood Ave workers applauded the win, saying it’ll bring them to the negotiating table for things like wage increases and benefits. But while the vote passed, that doesn’t mean it’s over. Re-fill me in, please. The union vote still has to be certified – something that could take a week. And Starbucks isn’t exactly thrilled. The CEO has said ‘but you’ve got amazing benefits.’ (Think: paid family leave, free college tuition). And apparently argued it prefers to work directly with its workers. But Buffalo workers say they want to be able to weigh in on decisions. And accused the company of trying to undermine their efforts. Starbucks said that no matter the outcome it would “continue to stay true” to its mission and values. And the company does have a history of following orders (see: Victoria, Canada). theSkimmWhen the pandemic shut everything down, service workers were there to prep and deliver our goods. It came at the risk of COVID-19 exposure and impatient customers. Now – amid rising inflation, labor shortages, and a tangled supply chain – more employees are fighting to have a greater say about what happens in the workplace. PS: Here's your explainer on labor unions and COVID-19's impact on them. |
