In a powerful continuation of the ongoing labour movement sweeping across Starbucks' US operations, baristas at three additional stores have overwhelmingly voted to form unions. The latest results mark a significant victory for organised labour and present a mounting challenge to the coffee chain's management.
The newly unionised cafes are located in Jamaica, Queens (New York) and the city of Portland, Maine. According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the vote was not even close. Employees at the two Portland stores voted 11-1 and 10-2 in favour of unionisation, while the Jamaica location voted 16-4 to join Workers United.
A Growing Wave of Organised Labour
This latest development is part of a much larger trend that began in late 2021. To date, baristas at more than 250 corporate-owned Starbucks locations across the United States have successfully voted to unionise. This grassroots movement represents one of the most significant organising efforts in the service industry in recent memory.
Despite these clear expressions of worker intent, Starbucks has yet to agree to a single labour contract with any of the newly formed union stores. The company has faced widespread criticism and numerous complaints alleging illegal union-busting tactics, including the firing of pro-union employees.
Corporate Response and Mounting Pressure
In a statement, a Starbucks spokesperson reiterated the company's position, stating they are "listening and learning" from the union campaigns. They emphasised a desire to work directly with employees, a stance increasingly at odds with the clear democratic choices made by their workforce.
The movement shows no signs of slowing down. Elections are pending for at least ten more Starbucks locations, indicating that the push for collective bargaining rights within the multinational corporation is only gaining momentum. This sustained effort highlights deep-seated employee concerns over wages, working conditions, and the right to have a collective voice in the workplace.
