The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approved a second Starbucks union vote in Buffalo, New York.
The workers at the store on Genesee Street, Cheektowaga, voted 15-9 favour the union. However, the NLRB dismissed some contested ballots when the union representing the workers, Workers United, argued that those employees were only temps at the Cheektowaga location.
Starbucks was allowed ten days to appeal this latest NLRB decision. However, if the appeal is rejected, it has to bargain with the union directly.
Last month, a store in downtown Buffalo became the first to unionise in Starbucks’ 50-year history. This action raised interest in unionisation in other Starbucks locations, including Massachusetts, Arizona, and Seattle. All have petitioned the labour board for union elections. Last week, the NLRB approved an election for workers at Mesa, Arizona, and ballots are due on January 28th.
Labour experts believe this is a step forward to strengthen workers’ bargaining power in the US hospitality sector.
