Madison, WI – Early Tuesday morning, the hourly workers at Starbucks, located at 1 E Main St., petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a union representation election. According to The Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board (CMRJB) of Workers United (an SEIU affiliate), an overwhelming majority of workers at the store signed union authorization cards.
These Madison coffee workers are joining the Starbucks Workers United movement sweeping the nation. Starbucks workers have recently elected Workers United to represent them at locations coast to coast including Buffalo NY, Seattle WA and Mesa AZ.
The filing is significant not only because it is the first store in Madison to organize; the E Main St. cafe is located directly in front of the state capitol building, site of the historic Wisconsin Public-Sector Labor Dispute of 2011. The significance of this location is not lost on the part of the baristas.
Workers at the E Main St store signed and delivered a letter to CEO Howard Schultz this morning, writing:
“How could we stay seated during this historic movement when our store’s location forces us to consider the importance of democracy and equality in decision-making in the workplace every day? We walk right past our state capitol building before clocking into each shift, reminded of Wisconsin’s struggle for justice at work. We will not give in to one-sided corporate decision-making when right outside our doors Wisconsinites have gathered for over a century to protest for what they believe in. Our wonderful customers, the Madison community, and the brave activism of Starbucks’ partners across the country have inspired us to finally make a change.”
Kevin Gundlach, President of the Wisconsin South Central Federation of Labor, added a statement of support:
“The South Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO welcomes these newly organized Starbucks workers into the labor community of our city. We stand proudly in solidarity with these courageous young workers who came together hoping to build a better future for themselves and our community. Howard Schultz, hear us loud and clear, union busting is not welcome in our city. No matter how long it takes, the South Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and all of our community allies will stand with Starbucks Workers United in their fight for justice and a fair contract. We are union strong in Madison, Wisconsin!”
