Newberry Starbucks Employees File for Union Elections in Nationwide Appeal

In an unprecedented move, Starbucks workers from the Main Street and Wilson Road location in Newberry, South Carolina, filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Tuesday. This move wasn’t isolated; 17 other Starbucks stores across the nation followed suit, creating a massive wave of union filings.

This surge of union filings comes just days after Starbucks Workers United members concluded a second round of national bargaining with Starbucks. Both parties made significant strides toward establishing a foundational framework for store contracts during these discussions.

Workers Demand Improved Working Conditions and Wages

Through their election petitions, the Newberry Starbucks employees hope to join a burgeoning movement. More than 10,500 baristas intend to secure protections on core issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling.

“Coming from a small town in the South, we don’t get many opportunities to make a change,” stated Chesney Bolton, a shift lead of three years. “We do everything together here, so fighting for this, for a company that can do better for us, we do it together! We look forward to joining the bargaining process to negotiate a contract that not only helps the partners in Newberry, but the partners across the country as well.”

Nationwide Push for Unionization

Workers from all 18 stores penned a shared letter to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan, declaring their organization drive. The letter highlighted their shared experiences and collective demand for higher wages, fair scheduling, enhanced benefits, and a safe, dignified work environment. They believe that forming a union is vital to addressing these concerns.

On Tuesday alone, Starbucks employees in cities stretching from Burbank, California, to Seattle, Washington, filed for union elections. Such a widespread push for union representation within the company is unique and signals a significant change in the Starbucks employment landscape.

Growth of the Starbucks Workers United Movement

Since Starbucks employees first gathered to form a union in 2021, workers at over 440 Starbucks outlets have secured union elections via the NLRB across 43 states and the District of Columbia. This historic organizing relies on a peer-to-peer approach, allowing workers to take the lead – a strategy that has resulted in substantial success in stores nationwide.

The Starbucks Workers United members have made substantial headway in their negotiations, securing “just cause” standards and educational benefits for organized workers. Partners across the country are still joining this expanding union effort, reflecting a nationwide trend toward workplace organization.

This massive filing announcement happens as Starbucks Workers United continues to accumulate victories. Earlier weeks saw workers elect to join Starbucks Workers United in several states including Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin.