Unionized Starbucks employees in Santa Cruz are joining 35 cities across the country for Saturday rallies to continue demanding a fair contract. The move comes after two county Starbucks locations closed as part of a broader consolidation.
“While we remain outraged at how callously Starbucks handled these closures, we are proud that we have forced the company to make this process fairer for impacted union baristas,” said Michelle Eisen, 15-year barista and Starbucks Workers United spokesperson. “These measures to support baristas show the power and strength of our union.”
Starbucks wrote in an emailed statement: “Our ‘Back to Starbucks’ investments—like $500 million to put more partners in stores, 18 weeks of parental leave, and industry-leading benefits that add up to about $30 an hour—are helping us keep turnover at record lows and making Starbucks a place more partners recommend as a great place to work. We’re ready for the union to return to the table to finalize a reasonable contract.”
There are four unionized Starbucks locations in Santa Cruz County — one on Soquel Avenue near Dominican Hospital in Live Oak, one at 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive in Soquel, one on 41st Avenue and Clares Street in Capitola and one on Mission Street on Santa Cruz’s Westside. The Mission Street location in Santa Cruz became the first to vote in favor of unionization in California in 2022, along with the location on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, while a third followed later that year. The Ocean Street location and the Starbucks on Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley closed in late September.
The Santa Cruz rally begins at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Mission Street location.
Workers United represents about 5% of Starbucks’ workforce.
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FOR THE RECORD: This story was updated with a statement from Starbucks.
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