Newberry Starbucks Workers Spearhead Union Elections Alongside 17 Other Stores Nationwide
Starbucks employees in Newberry, S.C., have joined a wave of workers nationwide, filing for union elections as they strive for better job conditions and benefits. The employees, based at the Main Street & Wilson Road Starbucks location, lodged their petition alongside 17 other Starbucks stores across the United States, making it a massive day of filings.
Seeking Job Security and Fair Wages
With this step, the workers at the Newberry Starbucks aim to join the movement of more than 10,500 baristas working toward improved conditions. They seek protections covering essentials such as respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling.
“From a small town in South, opportunities to effect change are few. We do everything together here, so fighting for this change, for a company that can do better, we stand together! We anticipate joining the negotiation process to hammer out a contract that will not only improve our conditions in Newberry but also the employment situations of partners across the country,” said Chesney Bolton, a three-year shift lead.
An Open Letter to the CEO
In an attempt to raise these concerns with higher management, the workers from these 18 stores collectively penned a letter to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan. They remarked, “Though we work at different stores, our experiences unite us. Our demand for higher wages, fair and consistent scheduling, improved benefits, and a safe, respectful workplace brings us together. We firmly believe this necessitates forming a union.”
Cities and Locations Joining the Union Push
The list of locations that filed for union elections includes various cities and Starbucks outlets nationwide. Since the initial formation of a union by Starbucks partners in 2021, over 440 Starbucks stores have won union elections in 43 states and the District of Columbia, including:
- Burbank, CA
- Miami, FL
- Bloomington, IN
- Brighton, MA
- Riverdale Park, MD
- Jackson, MS
- Troy Hills, NJ
- 155 Water Street, NYC
- Nassau & Fulton, NYC
- 444 Broadway, NYC
- Toledo, OH
- Akron, OH
- Media, PA
- Shadyside, PA
- Newberry, SC
- Dallas, TX
- South Jordan, UT
- Seattle, WA
Continuing Momentum for Unionization
This move comes following fruitful negotiations where Starbucks Workers United members and Starbucks managed to progress with shared standards for “just cause” and education benefits for organized employees. The success of these negotiations boosts the ongoing union efforts as more Starbucks partners across the country join the growing movement.
In the face of these expanding union movements, Starbucks is witnessing a series of victories where workers have chosen to join Starbucks Workers United in states like Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Utah, Wisconsin and more. With the massive filing announcement, their mission continues, steadfast in their united front for improved working conditions.
