NORMAN (OKLA) – Norman Starbucks workers at the 36th and Robinson store won their union election on Thursday overwhelmingly in a 12-1 victory.
Now they’re set to bargain for a tentative agreement with the company as the newest members of Starbucks Workers United.
“On the heels of Starbucks baristas passing a major milestone of more than 500 union-represented stores, the wave of Starbucks worker victories continued last night…’ read a press release from Starbucks Workers United.
It continued, “The 36th and Robinson partners join a growing nationwide movement of more than 11,000 baristas who have voted to form a union to win justice at work, including protections on core issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling.”
Thursday’s victory has become part of a movement spanning the country in several states. Starbucks Workers United can be found in California, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, and many other states.
“In the three years since Starbucks partners first joined together to form their union, workers at more than 500 Starbucks stores have voted to join Starbucks Workers United in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The historic organizing campaign has surged forward as peer-to-peer organizing led by workers, for workers continues to sweep cities across the nation,” the statement from Starbucks Workers United union explained.
The press release highlights a “winning streak” that’s been organized as stores continue to be unionized across the country.
Kay Black, shift supervisor, said, “It feels amazing to win our union vote! I’m looking forward to our store being together as a union and having our voices heard. I’m excited to start negotiating for improvements.”
Barista Kaia Johnson gave her perspective on her victory.
“I’m excited to lend our store’s voice to the Starbucks Workers United movement as a whole and to start working towards improvements that will benefit all Starbucks stores!” said Johnson.
Free Press spoke to Black about her new union. She said,
“Our store unionized because of consistent lack of staffing and livable wages,” said Black. “Although we are positive about the ongoing bargaining, we felt the need to have our voices be heard as well.”
This has been a long-fought battle between workers and the Starbucks [SBUX] corporation.
Recently the corporation has had a change of heart and started negotiating with Starbucks Workers United. Before Starbucks started negotiations, the company fought the unions racking up NLRB complaints, and even hiring union-busting lawyers. There was a case in Oklahoma City where a push to decertify the union failed.
Alex Gatley covers labor activities in the state of Oklahoma.
