Allen Park Starbucks workers unanimously vote to unionize

Now workers at 300 stores across the U.S. are fighting for a contract from the coffee giant

Apr 6, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

A Starbucks sign. - Shutterstock
Shutterstock
A Starbucks sign.

Workers at a Downriver Starbucks store unanimously voted to form a union, 12-0.

The vote from workers at the store at 23005 Outer Dr., Allen Park occurred Wednesday, making it the 13th Michigan store to join the Starbucks Workers United campaign.

“We at Starbucks Allen Park, store 9435, are proud to announce our unanimous YES to unionize,” the workers said in a statement. “Today we prove that we are a team that stands in solidarity against the systemic mistreatment that not just our partners, but all stores face. Today we prove our voice and our strength. We hope our win inspires all partners and all workers to organize. We have strength in numbers.”

They added, “Our fight does not stop here. This is just the beginning. We may have a long road ahead of us, but we feel nothing but empowered and excited to see where it takes us.”

Workers at around 300 Starbucks stores across the country that have voted to form unions must now negotiate with the coffee giant for new contracts.

The Starbucks Workers United campaign says workers at another Downriver Detroit Starbucks in Riverview will also soon vote to unionize, though a date has not been determined yet.

The news follows other recent labor developments in Michigan. Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation repealing the state’s so-called “right-to-work” laws, which critics say have weakened unions by not requiring members to pay dues.

Also that month, members of the mighty UAW voted for a slate of reform candidates following a high-profile corruption investigation at the union. New president Shawn Fain has promised to usher in a new era for workers with a zero-tolerance policy for corruption.

Coming soon: Metro Times Daily newsletter. We’ll send you a handful of interesting Detroit stories every morning. Subscribe now to not miss a thing.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter