A Philz Coffee in Berkeley Just Became the First Shop to Unionize - Eater SF

"The Philz Coffee on Gilman Street in Berkeley voted to unionize on March 19. Philz Coffee United, the name of the nascent union, has the support of all 16 staff members, voting yes in the election. According to The Daily Californian, this election comes on the heels of eight employees at the shop allegedly getting sent home for their pro-Palestine pins in December. Philz Coffee CEO Mahesh Sadarangani told the outlet the company plans to work with the union. Still, Philz Coffee had its ups-and-downs last year, closing its beloved flagship location on 24th Street in October 2023. At the same time, workers in that original location said they were working under poor conditions in a building that was discovered to be owned by the company through investment company Humble Lion. The Daily Californian reports the staff at the shop were emailed on March 13 that the location’s future remains uncertain as the lease expires in May." - Paolo Bicchieri