Newberry workers apply to participate in Union Elections

On Tuesday, Starbucks employees from the Main Street & Wilson Road location in Newberry, South Carolina, filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This application comes as part of a series of similar requests made by workers at 17 other Starbucks stores throughout the United States, marking a significant day of filing.

This spate of filings is a direct result of Starbucks Workers United members completing a second round of national bargaining with their employers. The discussions yielded considerable progress towards the establishment of a contractual framework for store employees.

Employees Focusing on Core Concerns

The employees at Newberry are hoping that by becoming part of the broader movement, they can influence crucial issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling. This movement already comprises over 10,500 baristas across the country.

Chesney Bolton, a shift lead at the Newberry location for three years, explained the significance of their effort. “Coming from a small town in the South, we don’t get many opportunities to make a change,” she said. “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.”

An Appeal to the CEO

The 18 stores involved co-authored a letter addressed to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan. In this letter, the workers announced their own collective stand, expressing their demand for higher wages, better scheduling, improved benefits, and a safe and dignified workplace environment.

The letter further stated that despite working in different stores, they were united in their shared experiences. They also made it clear that union formation was a necessary step to address their concerns.

The Wider Picture

Beginning with the first union formation in 2021, employees at more than 440 Starbucks stores have won union elections with NLRB in 43 states and the District of Columbia. This groundbreaking campaign is based on peer-to-peer organization and has scaled many victories in stores nationwide.

This important move by Starbucks employees comes right after numerous achievements in recent weeks. Workers voted to join Starbucks Workers United in several states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Utah, Wisconsin, and more.

This series of organized workers’ movements has led to significant milestones in negotiations, such as standards for “just cause” and benefits for education. This marks the continual growth of this union movement, with partners across the nation choosing to join the tide.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen how Starbucks management will respond to this significant wave of union filings. However, for the employees, it seems they are determined to fight for their rights. This nationwide effort signifies a large-scale movement towards a more equitable workplace within the coffee giant’s operations.