Employees at a South Surrey Starbucks store have joined the United Steelworkers Union (USW) Local 2009 – becoming part of several bargaining units in B.C., Alberta and Ontario now represented by the union.
In a media release from USW, the 17 employees of the Alder Crossing Starbucks – referred to as "partners" by the U.S.-owned company – noted it would be a "significant step in their fight for fair treatment and stronger workplace protections."
The location is at 3278 King George Blvd., in the same shopping centre that includes a Choices Markets location.
The announcement follows a B.C. Labour Relations Board hearing that resulted in the granting of an application by USW Local 2009 to vary its certification for a unit employed by Starbucks in the Lower Mainland.
In an official statement from Starbucks Canada, a spokesperson said the company "can confirm that our Alder Crossing store is now part of the bargaining unit that includes Town Centre Mall in Powell River, Valley Centre in Langley and Clayton Crossing in Surrey."
The USW media release said the decision to unionize came as a response to concerns over new management practices that had "negatively impacted workplace morale."
“Joining USW Local 2009 is an empowering step, knowing that we, as partners, have strong representation to stand up against corporate overreach and unfair practices at Starbucks,” said one Alder Crossing employee, quoted anonymously in the release.
“The main issue was new management came in and started to write up and coach partners. With this new management, we did not receive the same level of respect that our previous manager gave us,” said another worker from Alder Crossing.
The USW release said the unionization reflects "a growing momentum among Starbucks workers across Canada who are demanding better wages, job security and a voice in workplace decisions."
In its response, Starbucks Canada's spokesperson said "our success starts and ends with our partners (employees)."
"We respect our partners right to choose, through a fair and democratic process, to be represented by a union or not to be represented by a union, and will continue to work together to make Starbucks the best job in retail."
“We are thrilled to welcome these dedicated partners to the USW family,” said Monivoi Vataiki, USW organizer.
“Starbucks partners deserve fair treatment, respect and the ability to negotiate for improved conditions in their workplaces. The courage shown by the Alder Crossing partners sets an example for others looking to make meaningful change in their stores.”
Representing 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada, the USW is the largest private-sector union in North America, with a total of 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
