Starbucks employees and union organizers are set to gather in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 27 for a rally as part of the “Union is Calling” bus tour. The aim of this event is to garner support for unionizing more Starbucks stores and to encourage management to negotiate a contract for those stores that have already joined the union. The LA rally will take place at a unionized Starbucks location on N. Figueroa St. This stop is one of thirteen on the bus tour.
Starbucks Workers United has seen significant growth, with over 8,500 employees from more than 330 stores across the U.S. joining the union. These workers claim to have experienced intimidation and coercion from the coffee chain as they strive for a safe and respectful workplace. Their demands include a living wage, guaranteed hours, consistent scheduling, a fair grievance procedure, and protection against unjust discipline.
In terms of wage specifics, Veronica Gonzalez, a barista at the Figueroa Street location, revealed that local baristas earn a starting wage of $17. However, she believes that this should be increased to at least $20 to accommodate Southern California’s high housing costs.
Despite the efforts of Starbucks Workers United, their battle remains challenging. Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, a former California assemblymember now affiliated with the California Labor Federation, stated that Starbucks has been ignoring the law and refusing to negotiate with their unionized workforce. Fletcher emphasized the dedication of California’s labor movement to supporting these workers throughout their fight.
Jaylee Moore, a barista and organizer with Starbucks Workers United, highlighted the determination of supporters and their commitment to pressuring the company. She stated, “We’re working hard to force Starbucks to respect workers’ rights to organize and bargain with us in good faith.”
It’s worth noting that Starbucks has positioned itself as a progressive company that values its employees. However, workers claim that management has engaged in practices such as cutting hours, closing stores, and intimidating staff as part of an aggressive anti-union campaign. Union officials report that Starbucks has been found in violation of federal labor law over 200 times by National Labor Relations Board judges, with additional complaints being prosecuted by the federal government.
The issues faced by Starbucks workers reflect broader concerns within the fast-food industry. Employees from various fast-food chains have staged walkouts and protests to demand higher wages and safer working conditions. For instance, in Los Angeles, McDonald’s employees walked off the job due to a broken air conditioning system, and Southern California fast-food workers protested against low wages, workplace violence, harassment, and other unsafe conditions. These workers are advocating for the passage of Assembly Bill 257, which aims to establish a state-run council responsible for negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions for over half a million fast-food workers in California. The bill will be up for voting in the November 2024 election.
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