Unionizing Starbucks: A path to fairness, safety and collective power

In a bustling Starbucks, each drink crafted and every customer served reflects its employees’ dedication and hard work. With a joyous moment growing across Ontario, Starbucks workers are taking steps to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected – by joining the United Steelworkers (USW). With the recent successful unionization of the Uptown Waterloo Starbucks, it’s clear that more and more employees see union representation as the path to a better workplace. This week at District 6, Starbucks employees gathered to discuss what unionizing could mean for their jobs and lives.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times for Starbucks baristas, who juggle long hours and high volumes of orders with resilience. This time of year, more than ever, highlights the unique challenges of working in the service industry, where the demand for flexible scheduling and fair treatment is ever-present. Jaymi, a Shift Supervisor at Starbucks in Waterloo, said, “A union can help hold our employer accountable and ensure transparency and consequences when needed.” For Jaymi, unionization isn’t just a form of protection; it’s a way to establish a mutual understanding between management and employees, fostering accountability and fairness in the workplace.

For many employees, unionizing offers more than just a safety net. As Radian, a barista from Kitchener, explained, “In a union, we are greater together.” The support of a union provides a sense of solidarity, offering employees a unified voice to address their needs. Employees like Saman, a barista and trainer in Kitchener, echoed this sentiment: “Unions offer training and resources and ensure that our rights are upheld, allowing us to focus on what matters – our work and our well-being.”

One of the recurring themes shared by these employees was health and safety. Radian spoke passionately about the injuries and accidents that often go unaddressed: “Starbucks talk about valuing diversity and respect for workers’ rights, but they don’t always walk the talk. We deal with health and safety issues, and a union could support us in preventing injuries and making our workplace safer for everyone.”

For Saman, job security is a top concern. Reflecting on past experiences, Saman said, “When I started at Starbucks in Canada, I wondered if we’d ever see the wave of unionization happening in the U.S. Today, we’re working to make it a reality here [in Canada], too, so we can protect our rights. Through unionization, employees hope to create a structured environment where their jobs are secure and their voices are valued.”

Union representation would address immediate issues and provide the broader benefits of scheduling stability, fair wages and reliable benefits. Jaymi clearly expressed the team’s vision: “It’s not just about money. We want comfort, stability and protection for our health and safety.” As Starbucks employees across Canada work to establish their voices within the company, their commitment to one another and the belief that they deserve better work conditions grows stronger.

As the movement gains traction, the USW is committed to empowering Starbucks employees, offering guidance, resources and unwavering support. Unionizing gives workers a voice within Starbucks and the larger landscape of labour rights in Ontario, as Saman highlighted: “Unionization ensures that change happens, backed by legal representation and support. Knowing there’s a structure to stand behind us gives us confidence in our work.”

The unionization effort is growing, and you can be part of it. For more information on recent Starbucks union efforts, please get in touch with the USW. Contact Mary Lou at mscott@usw.ca or call 519-740-7955, or connect with Thomas DeSousa at tdesousa@usw.ca or by phone at 416-977-7274

Learn more about the movement and why unionizing matters at Imagine Better or to discuss how to get your location unionized.

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