Latest News

Millrise Centre Starbucks workers apply to join Steelworkers union

June 6, 2022

CALGARY – The United Steelworkers union (USW) has applied with the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) for a union-certification vote on behalf of Starbucks workers at Millrise Centre, store #4619, in Calgary.

The workers in Calgary join the growing number of Starbucks workers across North America who are organizing unions for better working conditions and wages, including employees at five stores in Lethbridge, Alta.

“The workers at Millrise Centre Starbucks have come forward to unionize because they have had enough and deserve better from the coffee giant,” said Pablo Guerra, USW organizer. “These young workers are leading the fight to unionize their store because they strongly believe joining the USW is the only way to have their voices be heard.”

There are 32 workers at the Millrise Centre store.

“It takes a lot of courage for workers to step forward to join a union, especially at a time when Starbucks is ramping up union-busting campaigns across Canada and the United States. The recent tactics deployed by Starbucks to try to keep out the union only prove the power of workers joining the union. It’s time for Starbucks to embrace and respect their partners’ right to unionize instead of retaliating against them just for wanting better working conditions.”

The ALRB is expected to authorize a vote of the Millrise Centre workers. To win the vote, the union must receive the support of more than half of the workers.

The USW represents Starbucks workers at the Douglas Street Drive-Thru store in Victoria, B.C. The USW also represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.

Workers interested in joining the United Steelworkers union can learn more about the benefits at betterworknow.ca or call 1-888-879-2411 (toll-free).

Pablo Guerra, USW Organizer, 236-509-4061, pguerra@usw.ca
Brett Barden, USW Communications, 604-445-6956, bbarden@usw.ca

Join our newsletter

Recent news

Featured image for Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection

Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection

June 17, 2025 | News Articles

With mental health becoming a growing concern in all sectors, the Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace course provided Spring School participants with the tools and resources to advocate for mental health in their locals. Lynn Losier (Local 9350) said the course opened new doors: “I didn’t realize how many support resources were out there. […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection
People holding signs that say

USW Local 1944 issues strike notice for Rogers technicians in Abbotsford

June 16, 2025 | Media Releases

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1944 has issued a 72-hour strike notice at Rogers’ operations in Abbotsford, B.C., with 25 technicians set to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 19. The Abbotsford technicians perform the same work as their counterparts in Surrey and Vancouver, who are also members […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW Local 1944 issues strike notice for Rogers technicians in Abbotsford
Image for USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove

USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove

June 16, 2025 | Statements

Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW), issued the following statement today on the passing of Basil (Buzz) Hargrove, former President of the Canadian Auto Workers who died June 15. The United Steelworkers and our members join the labour movement across Canada in expressing our sadness at the passing of Buzz Hargrove, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove