This Could Be Iowa's 3rd Unionized Starbucks

https://link.iowastartingline.com/view/650843af904f88308d52ecb5myzx1.9qg/9bf7c6d7

It's Worker Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

As Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) members representing more than 500 Starbucks stores nationwide prepare for mediation with their company—a huge step in their quest to begin bargaining a first contract—I spoke with workers at a Starbucks in Bettendorf who are getting ready for an election to possibly become the third unionized Starbucks in Iowa.

Michael Marquez, a shift supervisor with Starbucks for 13 years, contacted SBWU in October after saying he "noticed a distinct shift in the company straying away from the coffee house culture ... and more toward this fast-food coffee factory that started being concerned with profits over people."

"Baristas were subjected to all these [customer] promotions," Marquez added, bringing in lots more customers even as store staffing stayed the same.

Marquez then brought on Sofie Formas, a shift supervisor with Starbucks for 2 1/2 years. Formas said the decision was easy, as a "generally pro-union person," but it was more than that.

FULL story at link above.