Labor Unions

Labor Unions in the U.S. brought our country weekends, minimum wage standards, and stopped child labor. Now, as living conditions change, many workers in the industrialized sector are fighting for more changes to match 21st century standards.

Starbucks employees are one group of people fighting to have their voices heard. Baristas and cashiers at three Buffalo, New York stores are voting right now to decide if those employees should join a union. The times are not in their favor, as only about 10% of the labor force are unionized, while about 46% percent of nonunion workers polled favor being in one. Additionally, the corporation itself is against employees becoming unionized. Attempts to dissuade employees include appealing ballot rulings and bringing managers and executives to stores. More recently, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is facing backlash after using an analogy with Holocaust prisoners and the coffee company’s mission. Schultz said “Not everyone, but most people, shared their blanket with five other people,” adding that he was inspired to share his own “blanket” with five other people. “So much of that story is threaded into what we’ve tried to do at Starbucks — is share our blanket." During his speech, Schultz never directly addressed unionization, but rather made an appeal to the company's current benefits, including offering health care benefits and college tuition reimbursement.

Starbucks announced that it will raise wages in response to employees complaints, but experts say wages aren't everything. Many are frustrated with the lack of health and safety protocols from customers during the pandemic and inconsistent hours. Votes for these three New York stores will not be tallied until December 8th, where 111 workers could be officially unionized.

Amazon employees are another group of people looking to unionize. Stories about employees having to pee in bottles or worry about being under constant surveillance made headlines after complaints were filed to the National Labor Relations board. Workers also complain that the company has made multiple attempts to keep them from unionizing, going through interrogations and even installing anti-union banners. Earlier this year, employees in Bessemer, Alabama voted against unionization. Those results are being challenges with another vote to unionize in the coming weeks. That's because a U.S. National Labor Relations Board hearing officer said the company's conduct around the previous vote interfered with the Bessemer union election. Amazon's pushing back because organized workers pose a challenge to how Amazon manages its operation and drive up costs at a time when a labor shortage is taking a toll on its profit. The aggressive anti-union message can be seen all over company warehouses, "Unions can make a lot of promises, but cannot guarantee you will receive better wages, benefits, or working conditions," reads company photos. Alabama workers now await a ruling on whether they get a revote.

Every American has some connection to Amazon and Starbucks, directly or indirectly. These corporations drive our economy and employee our neighbors, friends or even family members. These workers also worked through the pandemic, risking their health and safety for the demand of the consumer. Now, workers are organizing to demand safer working conditions and livable wages. They're making those demands under aggressive anti-union pushes from management, possibly costing their jobs. When you head over to Starbucks and pick up your next coffee order or when you wait on your Amazon package to arrive, keep in mind the fight happening behind the cash register or in the delivery truck. Employees are asking for better working conditions while also meeting the demands of their day-to-day job. The question is whether or not these negotiations will stall holiday consumption, at a time where people are ready to spend money after living in a pandemic and whether or not our population will have the patience to handle these changes.