The United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-207 has filed applications with the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) for union-certification votes on behalf of Starbucks workers at two stores in Sherwood Park, Alta.
“The baristas at the Sherwood Park stores are tired of not being heard, and they simply want a voice and a seat at the table,” said Pablo Guerra, USW organizer for Western Canada. “Every day, these workers strive to provide the best customer service possible, but they can’t do that if management refuses to listen to their frontline experiences. This is about more than just wages – it’s about being heard, valued and treated fairly and respectfully.”
There are over 65 workers between the two stores in Sherwood Park, located at Beaver Brook Square on Baseline Road (store # 4362) and at Amberley Way on Sherwood Drive (store # 57236).
The Sherwood Park workers join the growing number of Starbucks employees who are organizing across North America for better working conditions and wages, including at the Calgary Millrise store, Alberta’s first corporate Starbucks store to join the United Steelworkers union in July. Another certification vote concluded at five Lethbridge stores in July and the count is pending a hearing at the ALRB.
“It takes a lot of courage for workers to step forward to join a union and we look forward to continuing to help baristas achieve better working conditions in their stores,” added Guerra.
The ALRB will hear objections from Starbucks and is expected to authorize a vote of the workers shortly after. To win the vote, the union must receive the support of more than half the workers.
The USW represents Starbucks workers at stores in Calgary and Victoria, Surrey and Langley in British Columbia. 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.
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