Starbucks employees at a West Side Albuquerque location voted to unionize, becoming the second store in New Mexico to do so.
The vote, held this week at the Coors Bypass and Seven Bar Loop store, was unanimous. This move positions the store as the 600th Starbucks in the nation to join Starbucks Workers United since December 2021, the union reported. With 11,000 baristas across 45 states and Washington D.C., the union aims to secure better working conditions, focusing on key aspects such as fair wages, equitable treatment, and improved scheduling and staffing.
“Winning unanimously shows the deep trust and care we have for each other,” said Kristal Martinez, a barista trainer. “We’ve faced a lot together, and this vote was our way of saying we’re ready to build something better together. We’re hopeful, we’re united and we’re just getting started. This vote shows what happens when workers come together and refuse to settle for less. We’ve proven that we’re not alone, and we’re not powerless, and this is just the beginning. Today’s win is a testament to the strength and solidarity of our team. We came together to stand up for what we deserve, fair treatment, a voice on the job and a future we can count on. This victory belongs to all of us.”
This victory follows a surge of union election wins since Starbucks and Workers United announced a new path forward in February 2024.
In September 2022, employees at a Starbucks near Old Town successfully unionized. Another New Mexico location in Santa Fe submitted a petition to unionize in August of that year, but later withdrew it in September.
“We respect our partners’ right to choose, through a fair and democratic process, to be represented by a union or not to be represented by a union, and will continue to work together to make Starbucks the best job in retail,” Starbucks said in a statement.
However, tensions remain as Workers United has filed over 100 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks, alleging the company backtracked on its agreement regarding organizing and collective bargaining. Baristas have responded with strikes, community support actions and civil disobedience to protest Starbucks’ alleged failure to support its workers and finalize fair contracts.