Starbucks store in Independence becomes the first in Missouri to win union election
Employees at an Independence Starbucks have voted to form a union, making the location the first in Missouri to win their election and head into the collective bargaining process.
Seventeen employees at the store at 39th and Arrowhead voted in favor of unionizing and three were opposed during the election Tuesday, according to Mari Orrego, a union organizer.
Orrego said the store’s election will officially be certified next week. Then employees will head into the negotiation phase.
A Starbucks spokeswoman said the company plans on bargaining in good faith with the newly formed union and hopes the employees will too.
During efforts to unionize, employees at the Independence store have accused the company of changing the terms and conditions of their employment, surveilling staff and making coercive statements such as threats or promises of benefits.
Starbucks locations at 302 Nichols Road in Kansas City and 10201 W. 75th Street in Overland Park have also filed allegations of unfair labor practices against the coffee company.
A complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board documented six allegations of unfair treatment made by employees at the Country Club Plaza and Overland Park locations. They range from losses of benefits and stricter dress codes due to participating in union activity, to supervisors creating an unsafe work environment.
Three employees also alleged the company fired them in retaliation for helping push forward the vote to unionize.
Starbucks lawyers are challenging many of the ballots cast in the Overland Park location’s union vote, which occurred April 8.
