Starbucks workers in Oak Bay file to join the United Steelworkers union

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks workers at the Oak Bay location in Victoria, B.C., have filed to join the United Steelworkers union (USW), indicating a significant movement towards unionization among baristas in Canada [1][2]. Group 1: Unionization Movement - The Oak Bay application follows the successful ratification of four collective agreements at newly unionized Starbucks stores in Ontario, highlighting the growing momentum among Starbucks workers for better wages and working conditions [2][4]. - The USW has expressed support for the Oak Bay Starbucks workers, emphasizing the importance of collective action in achieving fair pay and decent working conditions [3][4]. - Workers at the Oak Bay Starbucks have met the threshold for automatic union certification, with a decision from the B.C. Labour Board pending [4]. Group 2: USW Overview - The United Steelworkers union represents 225,000 members across various economic sectors in Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with a total of 850,000 members [6][7]. - The USW has a strong track record in improving workplace conditions and negotiating better compensation, which attracts thousands of workers to join each year [7].