The Starbucks location in Bloomfield became the first Starbucks to file for unionization on Friday.
In a press release sent alongside the National Labor Relations Board, workers joined a national wave of union filings amongst several Starbucks locations. In 2021, workers at two Buffalo stores were the first ones to do so.
The Bloomfield location sent an open to letter to CEO Kevin Johnson, notifying its intention to file with the National Labor Relations Board.
"In the Starbucks boardroom there is an empty chair, symbolizing us: the baristas and play-callers who cannot be at the table. We are done with symbolism," the letter wrote.
"Please remember that the core of Starbucks is not just the coffee and customers – the core of Starbucks is its partners."
Inside the letter, the Bloomfield workers want better COVID protocols, including mandatory masks for customers and more extensive coverage to support regular café cleaning. They also asked for an expansion of the digital tipping system and better training to high-stress store incidents.
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