Starbucks Union Formation Nears Conclusion... US Labor Board Rejects Company's Objection

[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The unionization of three Starbucks stores in Buffalo, New York, is expected to be decided soon.

Starbucks management filed an objection with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), requesting a halt to the vote count, citing issues with the voting process. However, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 7th (local time) that the NLRB dismissed this objection. An NLRB spokesperson stated that, following this dismissal, the counting of votes for the Starbucks unionization will begin on the 9th. Since the number of employees eligible to vote is known to be around 100, it is expected that the vote counting will not take a long time.

The three stores in Buffalo plan to close mail-in voting by the 8th and start tallying votes on the 9th.

A representative involved in the push for Starbucks unionization issued a statement regarding the NLRB's decision, saying, "We just want a voice in our workplace," and added, "The company spent money on lawyers to block this, but the NLRB told us we have the right to vote."

Starbucks stated that the company's position was sufficiently conveyed through CEO Kevin Johnson's statement on the 7th. At that time, CEO Johnson said, "We respect the progress of the election," and "Regardless of the outcome, we will sincerely dedicate ourselves to the company's mission and values." He also promised wage increases and additional hiring for employees.

The three Starbucks stores in Buffalo have been conducting a vote among employees on whether to form a union over a four-week period starting early last month.

The company argued that there are 19 Starbucks stores in Buffalo and that the three stores do not represent the opinions of all Starbucks employees in Buffalo, thus raising objections to the voting process with the NLRB. However, the NLRB ruled that a bargaining unit consisting of a single store is legitimate, siding with the employees.

Starting with the Buffalo stores, the movement to form unions at Starbucks is spreading. Last month, 28 employees at a Starbucks store in Mesa, Arizona, submitted a unionization petition to the NLRB.