ARLINGTON, Texas — Employees at the Collins and Lamar Starbucks location in Arlington on Wednesday voted 16-2 to join Starbucks Workers United, according to a press release from the union.
The Arlington location is the 12th Starbucks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to vote to join the union, alongside 480 stores across the country. The location is very close to AT&T Stadium in Arlington and deals with heavy traffic during sports and entertainment events, the release states.
The stores are seeking protections on issues like wages, respect, equity and fair scheduling, according to a press release from Starbucks Workers United.
"Winning the election is a simple way for us to take autonomy of our own jobs instead of being at the mercy of management. This is a reminder to whom we have worked for that we are partners,” Rhea Tabora, a barista of 2 1/2 years, said.
In a statement to WFAA, Starbucks previously said the company believes a direct partnership between leadership and the stores is core to the experiences created in their stores. The company respects partners' right to have a choice on unions, the statement reads.
“We are committed to delivering on our promise to offer a bridge to a better future to all Starbucks partners," Starbucks said in a statement.
Workers United-represented partners last met with Starbucks in July to continue work on a framework to form the basis of individual store contracts, the statement reads.
“Winning this election feels amazing," Jason English, a barista of 3 1/2 years, said. "I hope this victory inspires others within the company and outside to look into organizing their own workplace."
