BUFFALO (WBEN) - An organizing committee of four-dozen workers from three Buffalo area Starbucks (Hamburg, Cheektowaga, Elmwood Ave.) have filed their intent to unionize, to be known as Starbucks Workers United, with the National Labor Relations Board.
The group sent a letter last week to Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson asking for assurances that employees who favor a union won't face reprisals.
"I hope that the company doesn't see us as anything other than pro-Starbucks because that's what we are," said employee Will Westlake, who's helping to lead the effort at Starbucks in Hamburg. "We want to make Starbucks the best company it can be, and I believe that the best way to do that is by Starbucks signing the fair election principles and really practicing what they preach in terms of being pro-barista and being pro-partner."
"We really want our voices to be heard right now," added Buffalo location barista Brian Murray. "This is really a call for extending democracy into the workplace."
Starbucks released the following statement:
"We respect our partners' right to organize but believe that they would not find it necessary given our pro-partner environment."
"Starbucks says they are not anti-union, and I'll just simply say, 'Prove it,'" said Gary Bonadonna of Workers United. "We're demanding them to sign fair election principles, and you can't be on the side of workers if you're preventing them from having a seat at the table."
Seveal local officials were present at the announcement to show support for the Starbucks workers, including Congressman Brian Higgins, State Senator Tim Kennedy, Buffalo Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski, and Buffalo Mayoral Candidate India Walton.
"Wall Street didn't build this country, the middle class built this country, and the unions built the middle class," said Higgins. "Starbucks is a $100 billion company, and as all these folks have said, they're not at war with Starbucks, they're simply trying to instill in them an appreciation for what it is they do that makes this company so successful. Starbucks, in 2019, paid zero income taxes. These folks, individually and collectively paid more in income taxes than a $100 billion company - think about that."
