Starbucks and the union representing its employees in the United States said Tuesday that they have agreed to begin negotiations to achieve a labour agreement.
The announcement was a watershed moment for the two parties, who had been at odds since Workers United initially organised baristas at a Starbucks location in Buffalo, New York, in late 2021.
“Starbucks and Workers United have a shared commitment to establishing a positive relationship in the interests of Starbucks partners,” the company stated. Workers United reiterated these remarks in a similar statement.
Starbucks And Workers United, Long At Odds, Say They’ll Restart Labor Talks
Workers in more than 370 company-owned Starbucks stores in the United States have voted to unionise but have yet to reach a labour agreement with Starbucks.
The process has been cruel. Federal courts have sometimes ordered Starbucks to restore employees fired after leading unionisation efforts at their locations. The National Labour Relations Board’s regional offices have also filed at least 120 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labour practices, including refusing to bargain and reserving wage hikes and other benefits for non-union employees.
Starbucks stated Tuesday that, as a gesture of goodwill, it will provide workers in unionised locations the benefits promised in May 2022, including the option for customers to tip their credit card purchases.
Starbucks was the first to say it desired a better relationship with the union. In December, the corporation stated it intended to reopen labour negotiations to ratify contract agreements by 2024. Before that, the two parties had not spoken in seven months.
During last week’s conversations, the two sides agreed there was “a constructive path forward on the broader issue of the future of organising and collective bargaining at Starbucks.”
Starbucks And Workers United, Long At Odds, Say They’ll Restart Labor Talks
On Tuesday, Starbucks and Workers United announced that they will also consider ending their case. Starbucks sued Workers United in October, alleging that a pro-Palestinian social media post from a union account early in the Israel-Hamas conflict enraged hundreds of customers and harmed the company’s brand.
The corporation insisted that the union not use its name or likeness. Workers United countersued, claiming Starbucks defamed the union and indicated it backed terrorism.
Starbucks And Workers United, Long At Odds, Say They’ll Restart Labor Talks
“While there is plenty of work ahead, coming together to develop this framework is a significant step forward and a clear demonstration of a shared commitment to working collaboratively and with mutual respect,” the organisation said. Starbucks repeated the comments.
SOURCE – (AP)
