Amazon and Starbucks worker unions are currently in limbo, a sharp contrast to the big wins of established unions. While Amazon's first worker union was a big step, they haven't secured a contract yet. Similarly, 380 stores have unionized at Starbucks but haven't been able to get contracts.
This year, other workers have seen tremendous gains. Part-time UPS drivers got a 55% raise, airline pilots got 40%, and auto workers earned 25% and more for living costs. These raises have been across different fields, from acting to nursing.
These wins are primarily thanks to solid and resource-rich unions. But newer unions are struggling. Last year, they were hopeful, but now they're finding it hard even to start talks about contracts, let alone get good deals.
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Amazon Worker Unions Are in Limbo Despite Election Triumphs
In the spring of 2022, the Amazon Labor Union achieved a major victory by winning a union election at a large warehouse on Staten Island. This win sparked hopes for a broader labor movement.
However, the situation for Amazon workers hasn't improved as expected. Almost two years later, the union has struggled to expand to other warehouses and has yet to secure a first contract at the Staten Island warehouse.
Connor Spence, an organizer with the Amazon Labor Union, expressed frustration, saying Amazon acts like the union doesn't exist. On the other hand, Amazon disputes the election's outcome, claiming it doesn't reflect most of their team's wishes.
Following the election, Amazon implemented a policy prohibiting off-duty employees from inside buildings or work areas, which has hindered further union efforts. Spence, who organized a walkout, was fired for violating this policy.
Amazon insists this rule is for safety and security. Federal labor officials have challenged this policy, saying it violates workers' organizational rights, as stated in the National Labor Relations Act. This isn't Amazon's first time faced such challenges; they had to withdraw a similar policy in 2021.
Spence believes that without the new strict policy, organizing would be less challenging. He notes that union formation is time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially against a company with significant advantages.
This issue is set to be reviewed by an Administrative Law Judge in the coming year.
380 Starbucks Stores Unionized, Zero Contracts Secured
It's been over two years since the initial unionization vote at Starbucks in Buffalo, New York. Since then, nearly 380 Starbucks locations have followed suit.
However, a noteworthy fact is that none of these unionized stores have secured a contract. The situation has led to mutual accusations of bad-faith bargaining between Starbucks and Workers United, the union representing most of these Starbucks stores.
Sara Kelly, Starbucks' Chief Partner Officer, recently expressed concern to Lynne Fox, the President of the Workers United union, regarding the ongoing negotiation standstill. Kelly proposed that negotiations should recommence in January, emphasizing that the current deadlock is unfavorable for both parties. She also conveyed her desire to conclude all contracts and negotiations by 2024.
In response, Fox, speaking on behalf of Workers United, stated that she is considering the message and intends to respond. She clarified that the union has always been open to discussions with Starbucks and is willing to take necessary steps to facilitate progress in the bargaining process.
Tensions between Starbucks and its unions have been palpable, with accusations of delaying tactics and attempts to undermine the unions. Starbucks maintains that negotiations with the unions should be conducted in person.
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