Staffing

At least 1 Starbucks to unionize

Provided

December 10, 2021

Despite a letter sent this week to Starbucks employees from CEO Kevin Johnson reminding them that they were the "heartbeat of this company," workers at the store in Buffalo, New York, on Elmwood Avenue, voted Thursday 19-8 in favor of a union, according to The National Labor Relations Board.

Starbucks, however, is against unionization, saying that it prefers to work directly with employees. It also believes its array of employee benefits, including paid parental and sick leave, free college tuition through Arizona State University and recent wage increases, is proof that it cares for its workers.

"Unlike others in our industry who operate a franchise model, we have a network of company-operated stores that work together to create a better partner experience," Johnson wrote in his letter to employees. "Why does this matter? Many of you have told me you greatly value the flexibility to work between stores, to swap and pickup shifts, giving you the opportunity to connect with partners across different stores as one community. Because of this, we feel strongly that all partners in Buffalo should have a voice in the elections, which may unfortunately not be the case. While we recognize this creates some level of uncertainty, we respect the process that is underway and, independent of any outcome in these elections, we will continue to stay true to our Mission and Values."

Union supporters, however, think the fact that Johnson made $14.7 million in salary and stock awards last year proves the chain can do more for workers.

"If Starbucks can find the money to pay their CEO nearly $15 million in compensation, I think maybe they can afford to pay their workers a decent wage with decent benefits," U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote in a recent Twitter post.

The majority of Twitter responses regarding the vote supported the union, and Tom Dinki, a reporter for WBFO, posted a video of when Elmwood Avenue workers round out that they had won.

BREAKING: Starbucks location on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo has voted to become Starbucks' first unionized store in the U.S., by vote of 19-8.

Here was the moment workers realized they had enough votes. @WBFO pic.twitter.com/tHYY495Wjb

— Tom Dinki (@tomdinki) December 9, 2021

See below for other Twitter users' thoughts on the issue.

Starbucks hired an infamous union-busting firm and parachuted execs into Buffalo for three months. They sat in every store, intimidating workers and firing managers. They transferred workers. They spammed them with anti-union messages. And these workers stood up to it and won. https://t.co/IrV0Ie865P

— Jordan Zakarin (@jordanzakarin) December 9, 2021

"A working class hero is something to be."

I'm so excited for my Starbucks brethren. I've been wearing my @SBWorkersUnited shirt for the past 4 days (don't worry, I've showered). Every worker deserves to be represented, unions are a direct way to the table.#buildthenew pic.twitter.com/uFAXH36puF

— 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗼 🧞‍♂️ (@luxetbono) December 9, 2021

THIS IS A BIG DEAL--At the first of the 3 Buffalo-area Starbucks that voted, the workers voted overwhelmingly, 19-8, in favor of unionizing--making it the very first company-operated Starbucks in the nation to be unionized

The NLRB will now count ballots for the other 2 cafes

— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) December 9, 2021

While the Elmwood Avenue location embraced the union, a second Buffalo location rejected it Thursday. Workers United, the union hoping to represent employees, however, may challenge those results, saying that it wasn't confident that all eligible votes were counted, according to the Associated Press. The results of a vote at a third Buffalo store have yet to be determined because both sides challenged seven separate votes.

Starbucks and Workers United have five business days to submit their objections to the election results, which may lead to a series of hearings and appeals that delay certification of the votes, the labor board said. If none are filed, the results could be certified by next week.

As of press time, Starbucks had not returned FastCasual's request for comment.