500 Starbucks locations have voted to unionize as labor talks continue

Group 1 - Starbucks has reached a milestone with 500 stores joining the Starbucks Workers United union, with over 11,000 baristas participating since the first union vote in 2021 [1] - The union emphasizes the importance of workers having a voice on the job, advocating for strong contracts that ensure respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling [1] - Negotiations between the union and Starbucks have been ongoing since April, with 100 new locations successfully unionizing in the past six months [1] Group 2 - CEO Brian Niccol has expressed the company's commitment to bargaining in good faith with the union to establish a foundational framework for collective bargaining agreements [2] - The union has reported that negotiations have been productive and have made progress on various measures [2] - Baristas from the Bellingham location have communicated their reasons for organizing, highlighting the need for support to enhance customer experience and ensure the company's success [2]