Schuylkill Yards Starbucks Becomes Latest Philadelphia Location to Vote for Unionization
Employees at the Schuylkill Yards Starbucks in Philadelphia have voted to unionize, marking another victory for the labor movement within the coffee giant’s chain. The location at 3025 Market Street, situated in the heart of University City near Drexel University, participated in a National Labor Relations Board election that resulted in a win for Starbucks Workers United. This latest vote reinforces Philadelphia’s status as a stronghold for the union, adding to the more than a dozen stores in the city and surrounding suburbs that have already organized.
The movement to unionize Starbucks locations began in Buffalo, New York, in late 2021 and has since expanded to hundreds of stores across the United States. Workers at the Schuylkill Yards location cited desires for consistent scheduling, improved staffing levels, and higher wages as primary motivators for their organization efforts. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliate, which represents the baristas, views this victory as further evidence that employees are seeking a legally binding voice in their workplace conditions.
Despite the growing number of successful votes, Starbucks has maintained a consistent objection to the unionization efforts. The corporation argues that a direct relationship with its “partners”—the internal term for employees—is superior to collective bargaining involving a third party. Corporate representatives have stated that a union acts as an unnecessary intermediary that could complicate communication and hinder the flexibility required to run their cafes effectively. In previous statements regarding similar votes, the company has emphasized its respect for the legal process while simultaneously encouraging partners to vote against union representation.
The backdrop to this specific vote involves a prolonged national stalemate regarding contract negotiations. While union representatives accuse the company of stalling tactics and failing to bargain in good faith, Starbucks has denied these allegations, asserting that they are committed to negotiations but require a partner willing to engage reasonably. The friction has intensified recently, with the union filing numerous unfair labor practice charges alleging retaliation and refusal to finalize contracts, claims which the company vigorously disputes. As the Schuylkill Yards team certifies their vote, they will join the complex, ongoing struggle to secure a first contract.
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