Starbucks in hometown Seattle becomes the seventh outlet to join the labor union, after a 9 to 0 favor in votes by the workers. The previous outlets to join the labor union include five cafes in Buffalo, New York, and one in Meso, Arizona.
Seattle’s National Labor Relations Board regional director will certify the ballots—a process that could take over a week. Following the certification, the labor union and the organization would start negotiating on a contract.
In the last six months, more than 150 Starbucks cafes have filed for union elections to the National Labor Relations Board.
A challenge for returning CEO Howard Schultz
The rising union requests would be challenging for former CEO Howard Schultz, who will soon be taking over from current CEO Kevin Johnson. The company’s plans for these union requests are unknown once Schultz takes the reins.
