Starbucks workers in Jackson, Miss., have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize while also demanding better work conditions.
The workers from the capital city’s Interstate 55 and Northside Drive location joined employees from 18 Starbucks shops across the country that demanded “fair compensation, job security, and a voice in decisions that affect us,” in a joint letter to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan on June 4.
“We, the Partners of 18 stores across the country, have decided to follow in the footsteps of over 440 other stores and 10,500 of our fellow partners to demand better from Starbucks Coffee Company,” the letter states.
Workers United first organized baristas at a Starbucks store in Buffalo, N.Y., in late 2021, the Associated Press reported on Feb. 27.
Since then, thousands of workers at more than 400 Starbucks locations across the country have petitioned the NLRB to join the union and won.
“Though we work at different stores, we are united through our shared experiences and in our demand for higher wages, fair and consistent scheduling, improved benefits, and a safe and dignified workplace,” the June 4 letter said.
The workers said they believe that “forming a union is necessary to address these concerns.”
Starbucks baristas in the following cities and locations filed for union elections on June 5:
- Alameda & Shelton – Burbank, Calif.
- Dixie Hwy – Miami, Fla.
- Indiana Ave – Bloomington, Ind.
- Brighton Village – Brighton, Mass.
- Riverdale Park – University Park, Md.
- I55 & Northside – Jackson, Miss.
- Troy Hills – Parsippany, N.C.
- 155 Water Street – New York City, N.Y.
- Nassau and Fulton – New York City, N.Y.
- 444 Broadway – New York City, N.Y.
- Westgate – Toledo, Ohio
- Howe Ave – Akron, Ohio
- Media – Media, Pa.
- Shadyside – Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Main St & Wilson Rd – Newberry, S.C.
- Pipeline & Hwy 820 – Dallas, Texas
- 1121 South Jordan Pkwy – South Jordan, Utah
- 7th & Westlake – Seattle, Wa.
In their letter to Narasimhan, workers stated that “our decision to unionize is not made lightly.”
“We believe that a union will not only benefit us as workers but will also strengthen Starbucks as a company by fostering a more collaborative and productive work environment,” the letter continued. “We hope that Starbucks will respect our right to organize and engage in constructive dialogue with us as we move forward with the unionization process.”
