SEATTLE — Workers from Starbucks, organizers and supporters rallied in front of the company's headquarters in Seattle's SODO neighborhood Tuesday, announcing intent to effort unionization at two more stores in the area.
Speakers called for worker protections, including paid quarantine time for coronavirus exposures, and a seat at the table with company leaders.
Brent Hayes announced the intent of partners from the Westlake drive-through to unionize, sharing that he loves the process of making drinks, working with his fellow partners and team and engaging with the community. But he believes a union will improve conditions and ensure accountability for the protection of marginalized workers, including transgender employees, at other stores across the nation.
"We are grateful to be in Seattle, because there's a lot of locations where these marginalized partners or partners that are just not able to be protected don't have the kind of safety net we have as baristas here in Seattle and that's why it's so important for us as Seattle partners to start this and emphasize this," Hayes said. "If it can happen in their hometown, it can happen anywhere."
The announcements from workers at Hayes' store and one near 5th Avenue and Pike Street come after the announcement of workers at a store near Broadway and Denny Way in December. A national organizing group says dozens of other stores across the nation have also filed to hold elections on unionization.
KING 5 reached out to Starbucks Tuesday for comment on the announcements, but did not hear back by air time. It will be added when received. The company has published information about employee support and accountability here.