Workers at the Starbucks location at 30-18 Astoria Blvd. have announced plans to unionize (GMaps)
March 18, 2022 By Christian Murray
A Starbucks in Astoria has announced plans to unionize, the first location in Queens to do so.
Workers at the 30-18 Astoria Blvd. store sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announcing their intention to form a union and their legal right to do so.
“Starbucks continues to cling to an outdated reputation as a progressive corporation, yet during a period of record company revenues, these profits are not reflected where it matters most,” the letter reads. “Through the global pandemic we have been faced with increased responsibilities, questionable health and safety protocols, and irregular hours, with inadequate compensation to show for it.”
The Astoria Starbucks is part of a wave of unionization across the country, with workers in more than 100 locations in more than 19 states organizing unions. The first Starbucks location to unionize was in Buffalo, NY, in December.
The Astoria employees have the backing of local elected officials, with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Mike Gianaris, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and Council Member Tiffany Cabán writing a joint letter to Schultz in their support. The letter calls on Schultz to agree to fair election principles ahead of the union vote.
“As elected officials representing this store at the local, state and federal levels, we stand in solidarity with Starbucks partners at Astoria Boulevard and 31st Street and urge you to respect their right to organize.”
“We’re taking it upon ourselves to be the change we want to see.” Queens, NY is on the map! 👑 Welcome @sbworkersunited partners in Astoria! pic.twitter.com/DaUb8sPe5H
— SBWorkersUnited (@SBWorkersUnited) March 18, 2022
Elected officials representing the store at all levels of government stand united against union-busting, ask @HowardSchultz to sign Fair Election Principles. pic.twitter.com/2JxTwGoHOi
— SBWorkersUnited (@SBWorkersUnited) March 18, 2022
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