MAUMEE, Ohio — Workers at a Maumee Starbucks are attempting to make their location the first unionized shop in northwest Ohio.
Hourly workers at the Dussel Drive coffee shop petitioned the National Labor Relations Board and local management Tuesday morning for a union representation election. According to the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, an "overwhelming majority" of workers at the store signed union authorization cards.
In an email to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and local management, Maumee workers wrote:
“Partners have been forced into considering a second job due to hour cuts, but have been unable to do so with manipulative scheduling practices. We have been encouraged to over-extend our requested availability, while the hours scheduled don’t fulfill the maintenance of benefits. Partners have to continuously re-communicate and request hours, as no consistent management has been in place within the past year. We have grown frustrated constantly adapting to these changes, especially with the store hours changing without notice.”
The Maumee coffee workers are joining the Starbucks Workers United movement that has gained steam across the United States. Workers at over 250 Starbucks stores have won union representation elections in the last few years.
Alexa Sanders, a barista at the Maumee location, expressed her support for organizing.
“Partners are encouraged through Starbucks mission and values to act with courage, to challenge the status quo, deliver our best in all we do, and hold ourselves accountable for the results," she said. "By unionizing, we are in alignment to continue these values and work towards a better work environment for all current and future partners where everyone is welcome.”
This is the first store outside the Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati areas to begin the unionization process.
According to Forbes, the American labor movement has gained significant momentum since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starbucks workers across the country are demanding better treatment, fair scheduling practices and freedom from unfair discipline and dismissal.
Starbucks management has fought against unionization efforts with anti-union messaging. They have even closed stores attempting to unionize.
Starbucks has been sued multiple times for union-busting tactics.
RELATED VIDEO