Bruegger's Workers United (BWU) expresses dismay as Iowa City's Riverside workers voted against the union, just after previously expressing intent to unionize, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Bruegger's Workers United (BWU)

The union said the result is not the end for BWU. Bruegger's Workers United alleged that Bruegger was undermining justice through ongoing union-busting tactics, highlighting in the post that they would continue to hold them accountable.

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Bruegger's Bagels Union-Busting Allegations

As reported by AOL, employees at Bruegger's Bagels in Iowa City and Coralville who aim to conduct the first unionization effort in the United States received approval from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last month.

However, Coralville employees became ineligible after the store closed on May 31, which workers alleged was a "union-busting move" shortly after they announced their plan to unionize.

The judgment, issued by NLRB Regional Director Jennifer Hadsall, evaluates the employees' unionization efforts using a three-pronged test from the National Labor Relations Act, which defines a labor organization as any group or agency that involves employees and exists to address issues such as grievances, labor disputes, wages, working hours, or employment conditions, citing all components of this definition were clearly satisfied.

According to KCRG-TV9, around 11 employees at the Riverside Drive location in Iowa City previously showed interest in unionizing. The Bruegger's Workers United alleged that the company employed union-busting tactics to encourage a 'no' vote.

Series of Unionization in Iowa City

Bruegger's workers are not the first in the region to seek better wages, more time off, and more tremendous respect.

Workers at the Starbucks in downtown Iowa City are the first in Iowa to initiate the unionization process. Filed on March 27 for the 31 employees at the 228 S. Clinton St. location, the petition seeks to unionize all full-time and regular part-time baristas and shift supervisors. Gazette reported that this effort is part of a broader movement led by Starbucks Workers United, with Starbucks locations across the country and over 290 Suntry unionizing. 

Many were dismayed by Tuesday's vote, with Paul Iversen, a labor educator with the University of Iowa's Labor Center, saying that the story is not over yet. If the election was conducted unfairly, the board would intervene to order a new election, or, given the previous majority support, it might even require Bruegger to negotiate with the employees. 

Research indicates that unionization efforts are occurring nationwide, with a strong majority of workers expressing a desire to join unions if given the opportunity. If current unionization initiatives succeed, they could inspire additional locations or stores to pursue similar actions. Iversen asserts that the successes of this movement motivate more individuals to join and participate in the effort.

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