Buffalo Starbucks Store First US Location to Unionize

A Starbucks location in Buffalo became the first of nearly 9,000 company-owned cafes in the U.S. to vote in favor of unionizing. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.

Elections Held at Three Stores

Three stores in the Buffalo area held separate union elections. One store voted 19-8 in favor of unionizing, a second store rejected unionization in a 12-8 vote, and ballots from the third store are still being reviewed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

"Congratulations to @SBWorkersUnited on the HISTORIC achievement of organizing the first-ever union at a company-owned Starbucks in the US. The company should stop pouring money into the fight against the union and negotiate a fair contract now," tweeted Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. 

(U.S. News & World Report)

Company's Request Denied for Regional Election

Starbucks officials had asked the NLRB to allow workers from all 20 Buffalo-area stores to vote in one election. "Many of you have told me you greatly value the flexibility to work between stores, to swap and pick up shifts, giving you the opportunity to connect with partners across different stores as one community," said Chief Executive Officer Kevin Johnson, in a letter to employees. "Because of this, we feel strongly that all partners in Buffalo should have a voice in the elections, which may unfortunately not be the case."

But the NLRB denied the request. According to CNN Business, Starbucks Workers United Organizer Richard Bensinger said, "If we had petitioned for the whole district, they'd say the vote should be the whole state. If we petitioned for a vote for the whole state, they'd say the vote should be the whole nation."

(CNN Business)

More Stores Consider Unionizing

Several more Starbucks locations in Buffalo and one in Arizona are also considering unionizing. Additionally, the company has previously battled attempts to unionize in New York City and Philadelphia. In 2020, a location in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, voted to unionize. Starbucks maintains that a union isn't necessary because the company provides generous pay and benefits.  

(NPR)

Employees Say Chronic Understaffing Is Frustrating

For years, Starbucks workers have complained about the company's labor practices, saying that chronic understaffing has led to a chaotic work environment, erratic hours and difficulty taking sick days. Despite periodic commitments by Starbucks to revise its policies, the complaints lingered and appeared to intensify during the pandemic, when overstretched workers also had to contend with new health concerns and safety protocols.

Starbucks has long cultivated a progressive image. The social-impact section of its website says the company "has always believed that we can balance profitability and a social conscience." In 2018, it closed its U.S. stores for a four-hour anti-bias training session after an employee in Philadelphia called the police to report that two Black men refused to leave. The company's annual report cites its generosity toward rank-and-file workers, which it refers to as "partners," calling them "significant contributors to our success as a global brand that leads with purpose."

Many workers said that while they appreciated Starbucks' relatively generous benefits, they had been frustrated by the relative lack of seniority-based pay. 

(SHRM Online)

Pandemic Prompts Rise in Unionization

Managers and business consultants are reporting an uptick in labor organizing during the COVID-19 pandemic, a byproduct of increased workplace frustrations and a political climate that is tilting in favor of unions. For managers, an uptick in unionization means they need to be more vigilant and aware of dissatisfaction among their workers, according to workplace experts.

(SHRM Online)