Workers at two Starbucks locations in Minnesota have voted to join Starbucks Workers United, a union advocating for better working conditions and pay. The coffee shops located on West Seventh Street in St. Paul and Wayzata are part of a broader movement that has seen a surge in unionization efforts across the United States. This announcement comes as the union engages in a labor strike that began on November 13, 2023.
Both locations remained operational on Monday, but the baristas and shift supervisors opted not to participate in the ongoing strike, which currently involves approximately 3,800 baristas across more than 180 stores in 130 cities. The West Seventh and Wayzata locations mark the 15th and 16th stores in Minnesota, respectively, to unionize, contributing to the growing number of locations joining forces with the union.
At the West Seventh and Davern location, workers voted overwhelmingly by 18-1 last Wednesday to unionize. Similarly, the Wayzata Boulevard and County Road 101 shop followed suit with an 11-5 vote on Thursday, according to union officials. This significant decision aligns with the union’s ongoing campaign, known as the “Red Cup Rebellion,” which seeks improved staffing, increased wages, and the resolution of complaints regarding alleged unfair labor practices.
Despite these demands, Starbucks has consistently asserted that it provides the best wages and benefits in the retail sector. Negotiations for a new contract broke down earlier this year when union representatives rejected a contract proposal in April.
The strike impacting the Twin Cities has also included workers from a Starbucks in St. Anthony, which unionized in 2022, as well as a location in Chanhassen that followed suit a year later. Notably, another unionized shop on Snelling Avenue near Macalester College was permanently closed earlier this year, part of a larger trend where Starbucks shuttered approximately 520 stores nationwide.
As the union push continues, the implications for workers and the company remain significant. The movement reflects a growing trend among service industry workers seeking fairer treatment and better working conditions amid a rapidly changing economic landscape.
