Workers at a Greer location of a popular coffee chain won their union election last week, making them one of a handful of unionized locations in the state.
Starbucks baristas at the Hammett Bridge Road and Suber Road location voted on May 8 to unionize, making them one of seven Starbucks locations in South Carolina to unionize. The workers will now be represented by Starbucks Workers United, a labor organization that represents more than 580 locations nationwide.
More:Clemson Starbucks workers file petition to unionize, seeking more hours, health insurance
According to a press release from the union, more than 2,000 workers joined the union last year. These workers are advocating for better staffing, higher pay, and the resolution of unfair labor practice complaints against the company.
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“Joining this union will give us a voice to tell Starbucks that when the baristas and supervisors that run our store are respected and valued by this company, we can make this store a wonderful place,” shift supervisor Julia Birch said in a statement.
In November, the union launched the longest work stoppage in company history to protest alleged violations of national labor law. According to the union, the company had more than 700 unresolved unfair labor practice charges as of November when the strike was launched.
Workers at the Greer location voted 13 to 2 to join the union, according to Starbucks Workers United. Union election results must be certified by the National Labor Relations Board before they are finalized.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News:Starbucks in Greer becomes seventh unionized location in SC