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Unionization Efforts at Starbucks Continues to Spread


As the saying goes, once the ball gets rolling downhill, it can be hard to stop.  I would say that is one way to look at how the successful unionization efforts at two Buffalo area Starbucks has led to a growing number of workers at other Starbucks locations around the country taking steps to unionize as well.

Of course readers are likely aware of a few Boston area Starbucks locations taking steps to unionize, an election currently underway at a Mesa, Arizona location, as well as unionization efforts underway in Chicago, Cleveland, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Santa Cruz, among other locations.  In fact, recently, a union election was approved at three additional New York locations with ballots set to be mailed to eligible workers on January 31st.

Readers might be saying, ok…so what?  For starters, if readers will recall, the successful unionization efforts at the two Buffalo area Starbucks was the first successful unionization of any company owned location.  While the unionization vote at a third Buffalo location was unsuccessful, the two victories were used to show that unionization was possible.  That led to other workers around the country attempting to unionize as well.  While we await the results in Mesa and New York, I think it is certainly likely, if not probable, that we will start to see more and more unionizations at Starbucks locations this year.  It would not surprise me if these unionization efforts are used by organized labor and/or the President Joe Biden Administration in an effort to show that there is a (growing) demand for labor unions after decades of steady decline.  Stay tuned.



For additional information on the recently approved election at the New York locations:  https://time.com/6139514/starbucks-staff-union-vote-ny/

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