Oakland Starbucks Workers File for Union Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2023

PRESS CONTACT

Local: 

nickratto067@gmail.com, (510) 220-5327

mpalominos@wsrjb.org, (510) 605-8415

General: starbucksmedia@workers-united.org 

Oakland, CA — Last night, workers at the 1211 E. Embarcadero Cove Starbucks store in Oakland filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize with Starbucks Workers United. The baristas join a nationwide movement of nearly 300 stores and more than 7,500 baristas organizing for better working conditions and a seat at the table. 

“Starbucks loves to talk about the progressive values it holds,” said Oakland barista Nick R. “Unfortunately, it does not always live those values, especially when it comes to supporting its partners. I'm voting for the union because it's a way for us partners to hold Starbucks accountable.” 

In filing, the Oakland Starbucks workers have joined the fight against Starbucks’ hour cuts, inadequate staffing, disregard of partner safety, and refusal to bargain with the union in good faith.

Richard M., another barista at the store, added, “I am joining Starbucks Workers United because I believe in workers rights, and I know that we deserve to be fully supported in our store.”

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 U.S. company in the last 20 years. New stores are filing for and winning union elections every week, despite Starbucks’ union-busting campaign. The NLRB has issued over 80 official Complaints against the Company, encompassing over 1,400 alleged violations, and making Starbucks one of the worst violators of federal labor law in history

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