Brookline Starbucks Union Returns to Work After Months-Long Strike | Eater Boston
"Unionized baristas at the Brookline location near Boston University ended a months-long strike on Sept. 21 after picketing nearly continuously since July 18 following a June vote to unionize. Workers had accused management of creating a chaotic, hostile work environment and, in a July letter, alleged that an interim manager illegally threatened discipline or termination over compliance with a newly implemented policy and that the company had not bargained in good faith. The district manager agreed to involve employees in an investigation of the interim manager, seek her replacement, and collaborate on scheduling and understaffing concerns upon their return — developments the union framed as a victory. A company spokesperson countered that employees were returning with no new conditions but said the chain looks forward to scheduling collective bargaining sessions; the dispute unfolded amid a nationwide unionization wave and sanctions from the National Labor Relations Board against the global coffee chain." - Adam H. Callaghan
Unionized Starbucks Baristas Are on Strike in Brookline, Massachusetts | Eater Boston
"Baristas at the Commonwealth Avenue store began an open-ended strike on July 18, staging a picket outside the store from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the crew had voted to unionize the prior month by a reported 10–0 count with six ballots challenged. In a letter to management the employees allege a pattern of unfair labor practices and a chaotic, hostile work environment since the vote, naming an interim manager who they say has cut long-time employees’ hours, understaffed shifts while hiring new hires, and threatened discipline or termination over a new availability policy. Workers — including barista Sarah Chan and shift manager Nora Rossi — describe chronic understaffing that forces skipped breaks, hurts sales, cleanliness, and morale, and cite allegations that the interim manager has used harmful rhetoric about race, gender, and orientation. One employee, Taylor Dickerson, reports her hours were cut roughly in half after unionizing despite open availability and prior consistent scheduling. The group asks that the manager be removed or retrained, requests monthly labor reviews with staff, and say calls to the store and corporate press inquiries went unanswered; the dispute is presented as part of broader accusations of anti-union tactics by the company nationwide." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
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