Two newly-unionized Starbucks in Long Beach and Lakewood may not have the full support of the Starbucks corporation, but they certainly have the support of the Long Beach City Council.
At a Tuesday, May 17 meeting, council members directed the city attorney to draft a resolution in support of fair and free union elections for all Starbucks workers in Long Beach.
“A union is a tool by which workers can directly hold their distant corporate leaders accountable for good working conditions, equitable pay and treatment,” said Councilmember Cindy Allen, who authored the item. “It directly is a tool of democracy and the empowerment of people locally.”
The two Starbucks locations—one at 7th Street and Redondo Avenue and one on Candlewood Street—officially unionized after workers’ votes were tallied on Friday, May 13.
They are the first two Starbucks locations to unionize in Southern California, and the third and fourth in the state.
On Friday, May 13, Starbucks union organizer Tyler Keeling stood among his fellow partners, cheering and hugging his coworkers when the vote was announced. After six years with the company, and three at the Lakewood location, he cited coworkers quitting out of frustration, sicknesses due to stress and low wages.
“There now appears to be a groundswell of other stores trying to get that kind of union representation. And I wish them all well,” Councilmember Roberto Uranga said. “And with my new Starbucks in my new seventh district, I am certainly hopeful that they will also follow suit.”
In her council proposal, Allen wrote that another Starbucks location in Belmont Shore is “currently in the process of setting up their union election after filing their initial petition.”
The item, which received unanimous support from the council, was also encouraged by members of local labor groups.
“I want to wish Starbucks Workers United good luck in negotiating your first contracts. It is a grueling process,” said Natalie Gonzalez, president of a union representing city employees. “I encourage you to stay vigilant and to fight for every inch.”
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