Sugarhouse Starbucks baristas file for union

SALT LAKE CITY — Baristas at a Sugarhouse Starbucks location filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board yesterday. 

The baristas work at the 13th and Simpson location. Their filing is an effort to join the growing movement of 11,000 Starbucks baristas asking for a voice on the job at the chain, per the press release from Starbucks Workers United. 

Enoch Miller, a shift supervisor, said that he has seen “too many of my coworkers work themselves to exhaustion to still be scraping by.” 

Per the press release, Starbucks baristas across the nation are working toward several goals. Among those are living wages, racial and gender equity, respect, and fair scheduling. 

“This movement is about being able to live our lives unencumbered by these anxieties. To make sure our workplaces are what Starbucks says they should be: ‘Third Places, where all belong,’” said Miller. 

Sugarhouse Starbucks baristas could join a nationwide movement

According to Starbucks Workers United, the movement has been approaching 500 union-represented locations nationwide. 

Rae McKenszie, who has been working as a barista for 10 years, said this change was a long time coming.

“Everyone working for Starbucks deserves to be compensated and given the luxury of not living paycheck to paycheck,” McKenzie said. “Because it’s entirely possible and long overdue.” 

If the 13th and Simpson location is elected to the union, it will join other Utah stores on the list. 

According to Starbucks United Workers Utah’s X account, employees at Starbucks’ Kimball Junction location in Park City voted unanimously to join the union on March 19. 

Additionally, employees at the 4th and 4th location in Salt Lake City voted to join the union in 2022. 

Other Utah locations have also voted to unionize. 

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