Protest Percolating: Inside Kansas City Country Club Plaza Starbucks Fight To Unionize

Baristas take a great deal of abuse and that's why most of them seem pretty mad about their profession, even if making coffee all day seems better than most gigs. 

Apparently the job doesn't have enough perks . . . Pardon my stupid pun.

Anyhoo . . .

Check the testimony from a local organizer who offers insight on her union struggle . . .

Kansas City’s plaza Starbucks is no stranger to the concept of unionization. When I worked there, from summer 2019 to spring 2021, employees would speak in the back openly about how things needed to change, eyes darting around before daring to speak the word “union.”

There were many problems that the pandemic only exacerbated. Poor pay, high volumes of customers, frequent safety-threatening incidents, and—worst of all—a culture of sexual harassment that young women employees faced from customers.

As just one location of a worldwide corporation, it felt impossible to even consider leveraging our power to create a union.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Why Starbucks is unionizing in KC and the conditions that make it necessary

Members of the Plaza Starbucks union organizing team. From L-R: Chris Fielder, Addy Wright, Cali Sacramento. // Photo by Allison Harris Kansas City's plaza Starbucks is no stranger to the concept of unionization. When I worked there, from summer 2019 to spring 2021, employees would speak in the back openly about how things needed to change, eyes darting around before...

Further reading from today's news . . .

Dozens rally as 2 Kansas City-area Starbucks locations push to unionize

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - What started as a union effort last summer for Starbucks workers in New York state has arrived in the Kansas City metro. Dozens of Starbucks employees crowded in front of a location on the Country Club Plaza to protest Thursday.

Kansas City Starbucks employees hold protest over alleged anti-union tactics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some Kansas City Starbucks workers are holding a protest Thursday at 3 p.m. over alleged anti-union tactics from the company. The protest will begin with a press conference followed by demonstrations at the Country Club Plaza and Overland Park Convention Center Starbucks locations.

Dozens gather outside Plaza Starbucks to support unionization efforts

Posters read "Union busting is disgusting" and "Coffee's the game, union strong's the name." // Photo by Savannah Hawley Dozens of people, including Starbucks workers, workers with Stand Up KC, faith and civil rights leaders, and community allies gathered Thursday outside the Country Club Plaza Starbucks to support workers at the Plaza and Overland Park Convention Center storefronts who have...

Starbucks workers rally on Plaza, say it's time to unionize

For several months workers at Kansas City-area Starbucks have been exploring the idea of unionizing. On Thursday, employees rallied on the Country Club Plaza.Hanna McCown has worked as a Starbucks barista for more than three years.

Developing . . .