Courier Journal reported that Starbucks baristas working in East Louisville have submitted a petition for unionization. This joins a trend of numerous locations opting to unionize over the last three years to make their voices heard.
14th Store Voting for Unionization
Employees at the Holiday Manor location at 4942 U.S. Highway 42 submitted their petition to unionize to the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, as stated by Starbucks Workers United, a labor union representing over 460 stores nationwide, joining forces with 10,500 baristas nationwide who are committed to achieving workplace justice, including protections on critical issues such as respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling.
Workers Standing United to Make Their Voices Heard
In a letter to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan from Organizing Stores, workers articulated their reasons for collectively organizing, arguing that Starbucks failed to hear their individual voices despite "making the company's money."
According to the release, schedules do not align with partners' financial needs or availability, forcing partners to seek additional jobs and exacerbating scheduling conflicts and significant stress.
Promotions are also increasing without corresponding staff to fill in. Partners are tasked with responsibilities that would typically require multiple individuals, yet they are not compensated accordingly, which contributes to burnout and leads to higher turnover rates.
Understaffing negatively impacts partners and results in a poor customer experience, as customers wait in long lines for rushed service.
Recently, the following stores have also submitted requests for unionization:
- Speedway & Park - Tucson, AZ
- Capitol Square Mall - San Jose, CA
- Wheaton & Sylvan Way - Bremerton, WA
- Beechmont & Five Mile - Cincinnati, OH
- Holcomb Bridge & Woods - Roswell, GA
- Haynes Bridge & North Point - Alpharetta, GA
- Sepulveda & Vose - Van Nuys, CA
- Massachusetts Ave - Indianapolis, IN
- Essex Junction - Burlington, VT
- Canal Street & Broadway - New York City, NY
- 2600 S & I-15 Woods Cross - Woods Cross, UT
- Robinson Mall Level 1 - Pittsburgh, PA
- Holiday Manor - Louisville, KY
- Flatwoods Factory - Sutton, WV
Starbucks Workers United expects additional stores to initiate union elections in July, driven by employees' ongoing pursuit of improved working conditions and representation.
Shift supervisor Thomas Parsons emphasized in the release the desire to restore their store to a manageable state, with reasonable hours, benefits, and clear expectations where everyone's voices are heard.
Today's filing follows numerous successes, including workers across several states voting to join Starbucks Workers United in recent weeks. Since partners at Starbucks initially united to establish a union in 2021, employees at over 460 Starbucks locations have achieved union victories through NLRB elections in 44 states and the District of Columbia.
The announcement coincides with ongoing developments between union-represented partners and Starbucks, as both parties advance towards establishing a fundamental framework for store contracts. A significant milestone was reached in late February when Starbucks agreed with Workers United to establish collective bargaining agreements, including provisions for a fair organizing process and the resolution of certain ongoing legal issues expected to be ratified by the end of the year, according to a press release.
