Employees at all five corporately owned Spyhouse Coffee locations are taking part in a one-day one day unfair labor practice strike Saturday.
In August, over 30 workers announced their intent to unionize after concerns that the company wasn't protecting them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They feel like their boss isn't taking COVID-19 seriously," UNITE HERE! Local 17 treasurer Sheigh Freeberg said. "For four months, they had to fight to get Plexiglas shields at cashier stations. The only reason they got that is because they filed for their union vote."
Minneapolis-based UNITE HERE! Local 17 represents more than 6,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, sports complexes, convention centers, and the airport in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding suburbs.
"Closing down the locations around the city is a really powerful statement," Freeberg said. "It's important for bosses to realize that they make money because their workers come in every day. They need to respect that."
Workers say the August formed union isn't being recognized by the owner of the Twin Cities-based chain. The owner, through a PR firm, declined to comment on Saturday's strike.
A charge was filed with the federal government claiming a worker was fired for supporting the push for a Union and stronger COVID safety measures.
"We receive very little direction on any quarantining, social distancing, mask mandates, or anything like that from management," said Spyhouse employee Aidan O'Connor.
O'Connor claims the company isn't even following COVID-19 guidelines.
"Most of our tables aren't actually six-feet apart even though we've closed some," he said. "Management has actually sent us directions to keep tables and chairs out to just make it seem like it's normal, even though it's actually not. When we're going to work every day, we're putting ourselves in danger."
