Starbucks union workers: Concessions won following store closures, negotiations

After Starbucks announced the closure of multiple stores, including six in western Washington that prompted some Seattle workers to protest against alleged union busting, the union representing workers announced on Friday that workers from two closed stores had won concessions after negotiations.

According to a release from the union, the workers from the Olive Way and 5th Street locations are being relocated to a nearby store by Aug. 1, which will ensure there are no gaps in their schedules. The union also said that their hours will remain equivalent to what they previously worked.

“The two-month guarantee of substantially equivalent hours for partners at their new store really helps ensure that there will be no gap in our employment. Starbucks advertises these great benefits but they cut our hours earlier in the year and uncertainty about the length of time between stores had many partners worried that we were at risk of not having enough hours to qualify for our healthcare,” said Stephanie N., a barista at the Olive Way store.

The workers also won the right of first refusal to return to the now-closed stores should Starbucks decide to reopen them, according to the union.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/starbucks-union-workers-concessions-won-following-store-closures-negotiations/ar-AA107tHk