IOWA CITY STARBUCKS WORKERS ARE UNIONIZING

The store would be the first unionized location in Iowa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 27, 2023

Contact:

General: starbucksmedia@workers-united.org 

Local: mcbelvo@gmail.com, (515) 491-1768

IOWA CITY – Today, workers at the Burlington & Clinton Starbucks in Iowa City, Iowa, filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize with Starbucks Workers United. The Burlington & Clinton partners (employees) are joining a nationwide movement of hundreds of stores and thousands of baristas organizing for better working conditions.

Workers uploaded a video to announce their organizing campaign. In the video, workers explained the reasons that personally compelled them to organize their location, including the desire for “all partners deserve to be heard and respected in the workplace.”

“In the nearly two years I’ve been with Starbucks, I’ve learned how much I value a workplace that is safe for employees, efficient for customers, and fun for everyone. Instead of prioritizing these essential company standards, those at the very top of this company are focused solely on making record profits. Unionizing will ensure these needs are met and create the best environment possible.” said Molly Belvo, a partner and organizer at the Iowa City location.

Starbucks has launched a ruthless union-busting campaign that includes firing over 200 union leaders across the country and shuttering union stores. The NLRB has issued 80 official Complaints against the Company, encompassing over 1,400 violations of federal labor law. 

Starbucks Workers United is the union drive that has taken the labor movement by storm, with more new unions formed in 12 months than any US company in the last 20 years. There are now over 290 Starbucks stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia that have successfully unionized.

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