Workers at Olympia’s Cooper Point Starbucks went on strike last week. Here’s why
A month after employees of an Olympia Starbucks filed to join a union, workers at the Cooper Point Road location went on strike after what they say was intimidation, threats and more from management.
According to a letter sent to The Olympian, employees began their strike at 7 a.m. Thursday to protest anti-union efforts taken by Starbucks management. In their strike notice, employees said efforts to join the Starbucks Workers United Union have been met with retaliatory behavior from management, including cut hours, intimidation, threats, false statements and more.
The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks, according to the letter. The charge is currently pending with Region 19 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The Olympian made several attempts to reach a manager at the store, but had not been able to connect with one as of Tuesday, March 29.
Sarah Albanesi with Starbucks Media Relations said all claims of union busting are false.
“I’m continuing to look into these allegations,” Albanesi said. “We have fully honored the process laid out by the NLRB, and we encourage our partners in their right to labor representation and to vote.”
Striking workers picketed in a plaza near the Cooper Point Starbucks on Thursday. They were joined by supporters, who brought the crowd to more than 70 people.
“Our store manager has drastically cut hours; some partners only get eight hours a week,” barista Madison Barriga said in the letter.
According to the letter, union ballot instructions that are posted in the Olympia store threaten to freeze employee benefits and wages while urging them to vote no on unionizing.
“Our bosses have threatened to freeze our wages and benefits, which is illegal,” said employee Billie Adeosun in the letter. “These tactics are disgraceful and demonstrate that Starbucks has no interest in prioritizing partners over their profits.”
Seattle council member Kshama Sawant attended the strike to show her support for the Starbucks Union. She also donated $5,000 to “Relief Fund for PNW Starbucks Workers United,” a gofundme set up to provide financial relief to Starbucks workers in the Pacific Northwest.
The strike lasted until 8:30 p.m. Thursday, and employees went back to work the next day.
In an interview with The Olympian on March 29, Barriga said management hasn’t said a word about the strike. There aren’t any plans for more strikes yet, but employees will be outside the store this week to give patrons information on the union and the working conditions.
Barriga said employees are trying to have conversations with other area Starbucks locations, but the movement isn’t picking up as much traction as it has in Seattle.
“Our goal is to get them to stop unfair labor practices, to show we’re Starbucks’ most valuable asset,” she said. “If we don’t work, they don’t make money.”
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