Starbucks Coffee on Mayor Magrath Drive South in Lethbridge. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

UPDATED

Lethbridge Starbucks workers attempting to unionize

May 24, 2022 | 2:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Five Starbucks locations in Lethbridge look to join a unionization movement in the company.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) has filed an application with the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) for a union certification vote on behalf of the 115 employees.

USW Organizer Pablo Guerra says, throughout the pandemic, Starbucks workers have faced unrealistic expectations from the coffee giant.

“Workers are burning out and are struggling mentally and physically,” said Guerra. “From challenges of PPE, employee shortages, being forced to come into work sick, and added pressures from mobile ordering and complex drink orders, workers have had enough and are demanding better from Starbucks.”

The five Starbucks locations in Lethbridge attempting to unionize are:

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• Lethbridge Chapters – store # 4372
• Mayor Magrath South – store # 4839
• South Lethbridge – store # 57949
• Mayor Magrath Drive North – store # 55870
• West Lethbridge Towne Centre – store # 4628

The ALRB website does not currently show a scheduled hearing date for the USW application, but the union says it should take place in the coming weeks.

If workers are able to hold a union certification vote, more than half would need to give their support to move ahead.

A growing movement within the coffee chain has seen dozens of stores in the U.S. and a few more in Canada hold union certification votes.

In response to Tuesday’s news, a spokesperson for Starbucks issued the following statement to LNN.

“Starbucks success—past, present and future—is built on how we partner together, always with Our Mission and Values at our core. From the beginning, we’ve been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners, without a union between us at Starbucks, because the best way to create an exceptional experience for partners is through an open and direct working relationship.”

We continue to respect our partners’ right to organize, or not to organize, and we respect the union process. All claims of anti-union activity are categorically false. 

We want all partners to love working at Starbucks and we are committed to finding new and better ways to continue leading on wages and benefits, improve our listening and active partnership, and keep building a company that matters, together as partners.”