Two More Seattle Starbucks Stores File For Unionization

SEATTLE — Workers from two Seattle Starbucks stores submitted union petitions Monday night, bringing the total to three locations seeking unionization in the coffee giant's hometown. Workers at the Westlake drive-thru and 5th and Pike stores are the latest to file for union elections, joining efforts underway at more than two dozen locations across the country.

The Starbucks at Broadway and Denny kicked off Seattle's first unionization push at the chain in late December, following a successful union drive at a store in Buffalo, N.Y. Since then, more than 30 stores across the country have initiated similar efforts through Starbucks Workers United.

Starbucks workers were joined by Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant for a news conference Tuesday after she introduced a resolution in support of unionization and condemning Starbucks management.

"There can be no illusions that the bosses will be on our side — they will fight ferociously against us," Sawant said in a statement. "If Starbucks workers succeed in building a union — and not only building a union but winning a fair contract — this will be nothing short of an earthquake."

According to Starbucks Workers united, three more stores in Buffalo are scheduled to vote in their union elections in the coming weeks, and workers at the first store to unionize are preparing to bargain for their first contract.

Seattle Starbucks workers were scheduled to hold a solidarity rally with Sawant Tuesday evening on Capitol Hill.