UPDATE 9 AM: Volunteers handed out flyers urging a boycott at two Midtown Kansas City, MO stores on the morning of December 24th, 2024. Photos below.
UPDATE 10:30 AM: The Starbucks at 75th & I-35, located at 10201 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204, has gone on strike, joining the other two locations. These workers are not picketing.
Last week, Starbucks Workers United baristas announced that they have voted overwhelmingly–with 98 percent of unionized partners voting in favor–to authorize a strike, if necessary, to win fair raises, benefits and staffing, protest unfair labor practices, and resolve outstanding litigation with Starbucks. What first started with just a handful of stores has spread across the country, with two Kansas City-area locations joining in on Tuesday, December 24th, including:
- 23rd & Ousdahl 1731 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046
- E. 39th & Arrowhead 18710 E 39th St S, Independence, MO 64057-1709
The Lawrence, KS location will be on strike from 8 AM to NOON.
The Independence, MO location will be on strike from 7 AM to NOON.
The workers are asking for a COMPLETE boycott of Starbucks through December 24th. Do not cross a picket line.
These workers are showing their willingness to do whatever it takes to protest hundreds of still-unresolved unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) and win a strong foundational framework for union contracts.
“It’s time to finalize a foundational framework that includes meaningful investments in baristas and to resolve unfair labor practice charges,” said Silvia Baldwin (she/her), a Philadelphia barista and bargaining delegate. “Starbucks can’t get back on track as a company until it finalizes a fair contract that invests in its workforce. Right now, I’m making $16.50 an hour. Meanwhile, Brian Niccol’s compensation package is worth $57,000 an hour. The company just announced I’m only getting a 2.5% raise next year, $0.40 an hour, which is hardly anything. It’s one Starbucks drink per week. Starbucks needs to invest in the baristas who make Starbucks run.”
Since Workers United and Starbucks announced a path forward earlier this year, both sides have engaged in hundreds of hours of bargaining and countless hours of preparation for each session since. The two parties have advanced dozens of tentative agreements at the table. However, Starbucks has yet to bring a comprehensive economic package to the bargaining table and hundreds of as-yet unsettled unfair labor practices remain unresolved. While talks to settle litigation have occurred, more than $100 million in legal liabilities remain outstanding.
“We are ready to focus on the future by resolving ULPs and locking in the support and protections we need to do our jobs well and flourish,” Silvia continued. “We know that baristas are critical to the operation of the company, which is why we’re bringing pragmatic solutions to the bargaining table. As a growing union representing over 525 stores that have organized tirelessly for years, we also know that we have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to land the strongest contracts possible.”
Over the course of 2024, Starbucks Workers United baristas have powered a “winning streak” of organizing that has led baristas at over 100 stores to vote to join the union. They’re driving forward nationwide movement of more than 11,000 baristas working together to win workplace protections on core issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling. Partners at more than 525 stores across 45 states and the District of Columbia have won their union to date, including the below stores in eastern Kansas and western Missouri:
- 23rd & Ousdahl 1731 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046
- 75th & I-35 10201 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204
- 41st & Main 4101 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111-2314
- E. 39th & Arrowhead 18710 E 39th St S, Independence, MO 64057-1709
- Battlefield & Maryland 1008 E Battlefield Rd, Springfield, MO 65807
- Glenstone & Cherry 631 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65802-3205
- Central & Rock Rd 8008 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67206-2310
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
