Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - In what amounts to a doubling of their recent union organizing effort, local Starbucks workers Tuesday afternoon announced three additional stores have petitioned with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election.
The new stores are at Bailey and Sheridan, Walden and Anderson and in Depew and are in addition to Elmwood Avenue, Hamburg and Genesee Street where organization efforts have been underway for months.
Our campaign has only gained momentum and will continue to grow," said Michelle Eisen in front of the Sheridan and Bailey location.
"It is time to take our seat at the table," said longtime Starbucks partner Rachel Cohen as she announced her home location at Sheridan and Bailey was working to organize.
Starbucks employees say the doubling of their union organizing effort comes despite what they call the 'anti-union campaign' Starbucks has been waging for the past 70 days.
As ballots are set to be mailed this week, Starbucks filed a motion with the NLRB asking the election for the original three stores be stayed and not mailed on time. Union backers are awaiting a decision on the stay request and are hopeful it will be denied.
In an effort to unify employees, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz visited Buffalo area associates over the weekend and closed stores to allow them to attend and hear his views that spoke against the need for a unionization effort.
If the election for the original three stores moves forward, voting would take place through December 8, after which a count would occur and a decision rendered.
