Starbucks
Low unemployment stats and a number of job openings the retail and service workers less concerned about being fired for union activities. Yesterday the 35 workers at the Terrace Plaza Starbucks voted to become members of United Steelworkers Union, Local 1-207. It is difficult for chains to unionize because they must do so one physical location at a time and with 950 company-operated Starbucks in Canada it remains to be seen what effect this move to unionize the Terrace Plaza Starbucks will have upon Starbucks at other the locations
What does coffee have to do with steelworkers? Nothing, unless you're one of the 20 Starbucks workers at the 75 Street and 68th Avenue store in Edmonton. Starbucks workers are upset about working conditions, low wages, erratic and unstable work schedules and to get their grievances heard have filed an application to join the Steelworkers Union. Starbucks workers have joined the USW in Sherwood Park, Calgary, Victoria, Surrey and Langley, BC.