Why Are Starbucks Workers Unionizing?

Why Are Starbucks Workers Unionizing?

Starbucks employees at three Buffalo, New York area locations of the coffee shop giant have petitioned the NLRB to unionize. We spoke with two union supporters and members of Starbucks Workers United, Michael Sanabria and Casey Moore. Michael is a photographer and an award winning barista who has been with Starbucks for over four years and had previously worked at other local coffee shops. Casey is a Starbucks barista, graduate student and graphic designer. Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Errol Schweizer: Why did you start working at Starbucks? Casey Moore: I'm a barista at Starbucks and I started working there because I'm studying for graduate school. I needed things like health care benefits. I thought they were really good compared to a lot of other service industry jobs in particular. I had worked in the service industry before, I've been a waitress and different things. And I really valued the things what Starbucks seems to stand for. So I was really excited when I got a job as barista. And even more excited when I started hearing things about organizing. Michael Sanabria: I'm a barista, I actually got hired into the company as a shift