The effort to unionize Starbucks workers has seen significant progress, with 11,000 baristas joining unions at over 570 stores since December 2021. Two new contracts have been established for different groups of workers: the Starbucks Workers United staff and the Workers United staff under the New York-New Jersey Joint Board at Workers United, affiliated with the Service Employees International Union.
The contract for Starbucks Workers United staff includes several key provisions such as strong job protection language featuring five steps for progressive discipline. It also provides higher pay for those living in costlier areas, safeguards against artificial intelligence, 15 holidays, premium-free healthcare coverage, and support for immigrant workers.
“We’re proud to have landed such a strong contract; it enables us to keep fighting alongside our members with the support and working conditions we need,” said Molly Daniels, Lead Organizer at Workers United.
Meanwhile, the agreement with the Workers United New York-New Jersey Board offers robust job protections and professional development support. It includes successorship language—a rarity in staff union contracts—recall rights, and annual wage increases of 4%, followed by two consecutive years of 3% each during its three-year term.
“While I’m relatively new to the Joint Board, I have firsthand experience with just how transformative a strong union contract can be. I’m beyond thrilled for myself and my colleagues who fought just as hard for our staff union contract as they do for the shops we represent,” stated Libby Torres, unit chair for the staff at the Workers United New York–New Jersey Joint Board.
