BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) As Starbucks workers attempt to unionize three local stores in the Buffalo area, an effort to block the counting of votes in the election has been denied.
According to Starbucks Workers United, the union of Starbucks partners
organizing in Buffalo, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) dismissed a company request Tuesday to impound the ballots already cast and stop the pending vote entirely.
“It’s unfortunate to see them still trying to stop ballots from being counted at the 11th hour, but it shows the world what we’ve been up against with this company," said Jaz Brisack, who is a partner at the Elmwood Starbucks.
"We just want a voice in our workplace and despite the money Starbucks has spent on lawyers trying to stop that, the NLRB is telling us we have a right to this vote. If anything, this is bringing even more people onto our side when they see how hard the company is fighting its own partners,” added Brisack.
As ordered by the NLRB, voting is scheduled to end on December 8 with votes being counted on December 9 at 1:00pm by video conference.
Tuesday morning, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, made one last pitch to ask workers to stay with the chain, and not with a union. He addressed the unionization effort in a letter to corporate partners:
“That leads me to the situation in Buffalo, where this week partners in three individual stores will decide if they want to be represented by a union.
Unlike others in our industry who operate a franchise model, we have a network of company-operated stores that work together to create a better partner experience. Why does this matter? Many of you have told me you greatly value the flexibility to work between stores, to swap and pickup shifts, giving you the opportunity to connect with partners across different stores as one community. 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. While we recognize this creates some level of uncertainty, we respect the process that is underway and, independent of any outcome in these elections, we will continue to stay true to our Mission and Values.”
Kevin Johnson - President and CEO Starbucks
The workers at the stores on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, Genesee Street in Cheektowaga and Camp Road in Hamburg are getting some high powered help from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Sanders held a town hall video conference with several Starbucks "partners" in Buffalo Monday night that aired on social media channels.
Sanders saying if Starbucks has enough money to pay its CEO nearly $15 million a year, it has the resources to pay its workers with good wages, good working conditions and good benefits.
He said the younger generation today, through no fault of their own, has a lower standard of living, than their parents. He said the American dream is going backwards.
Sanders adding," the American worker today is making $40 dollars less than he or she did 48 years ago, after adjusting for inflation. And millennial's earn about 20% less than baby boomers did at the same stage in their life, despite this generation being better educated."
The Senator met with four Buffalo area Starbucks workers over the video chat to discuss their experiences with the unionization effort and about the pushback they are getting from the corporation.
Senator Sanders told the workers their fight is not over after the unionization vote. "You're going to have to sit down and negotiate a contract," he told them.
On a personal note, he told them they are an inspiration to him. "It is a pleasure to see folks stand up and fight for what is right for justice, for workers' rights, and thank you very much for what you're doing," said Sanders.
