West Hartford Starbucks workers win union vote

WEST HARTFORD — Employees at the Corbin’s Corner Starbucks have become the first in Connecticut to officially join Starbucks Workers United.

“We’re pretty ecstatic,” employee and organizer Kuzco Gong said. “We’re the first to unionize in Connecticut.”

In April, employees at the store first indicated their interest in joining a growing national unionizing movement.

The process, Gong said, included some resistance from Starbucks management.

“We had some one-onone meetings … some had them with our manager,” Gong said. “Some people had them with the district manager. They were the union busting meetings Starbucks has become accustomed to.”

When asked for comment, Starbucks confirmed the vote.

“The majority of partners at the Corbin’s Corner store in West Hartford voted to be represented by the union,” a representative from Starbucks’ press team said. “As we have said throughout, we will respect the process and will bargain in good faith . ...

We hope that the union does the same.”

Their press team also denied the claims of union busting.

“Additionally, any claims of union busting are false,” the representative said. “We have responded to partner requests for help with staffing, training, or other needs in certain markets. Our local, regional, and national leaders have been working with humility, deep care and urgency to create the kind of store environment that partners and customers expect of Starbucks.”

In May, Starbucks denied claims of “captive” meetings.

claims are inaccurate,” Starbucks’ press team said in an email. “We have fully adhered to the [National Labor Relations Board] process and encouraged our partners to exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard in the election.”

While negotiations will be made at a national level through Starbucks Workers United, employees at the West Hartford store are seeking higher wages and more guaranteed hours.

In April, Gong said many employees struggled to reach 20 hours a week, a number that unlocks access to some of Starbucks’ benefits.

“Those two things are major players … getting those hours and getting higher wages,” Gong said.

Gong said they are also examining some form of seniority pay. Senior em ployees were also making the same wages as brand new employees.

“There are so many people who have been with the company so long and get nothing for having put so much time in with the company,” Gong said.

Contributed photo Employees of the Corbin's Corner Starbucks store voted to unionize on Thursday.