Business & Finance
Documentary highlights Starbucks union campaign as nationwide boycott continues
A new film chronicles the labor movement initiated by Starbucks workers in Buffalo as contract negotiations remain stalled.
The short version
- A new documentary, 'Baristas vs Billionaires,' details the Starbucks unionization drive that began in Buffalo, New York, in 2021.
- More than 700 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since 2021, but a first collective bargaining agreement has yet to be finalized.
- Starbucks Workers United recently initiated a nationwide boycott as contract talks stall and unfair labor practice charges remain unresolved.
Key facts
- The documentary film 'Baristas vs Billionaires' was written and directed by Mark Mori and narrated by Susan Sarandon.[The Guardian]
- Starbucks Workers United initiated a boycott against the coffee chain on August 25 due to a lack of progress on a first contract.[The Guardian]
- Over 700 Starbucks locations have successfully voted to unionize since 2021.[The Guardian]
- Administrative law judges and the National Labor Relations Board determined that Starbucks committed over 500 labor law violations.[The Guardian]
- The union demands include a $17-per-hour baseline wage, better scheduling, improved workplace safety, and the resolution of pending unfair labor practice cases.[The Guardian]
- A Starbucks spokesperson stated that the company offers competitive pay and top industry benefits, maintaining that it is committed to productive negotiations.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The timeline for finalizing a distribution deal to release the documentary widely beyond scheduled screenings is unconfirmed.[The Guardian]
- The timing for resolving the hundreds of pending unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks remains uncertain.[The Guardian]