Split decision: Tallahassee Starbucks workers lose one union, may have won another

Christopher Cann, Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read

Workers at a Tallahassee Starbucks on South Magnolia Drive lost their union vote 9-to-15 in late May, according to National Labor Relations Board records.

There were 35 eligible voters, which includes all full-time and part-time baristas and shift supervisors, at this location, 222 S. Magnolia Drive.

Another Tallahassee Starbucks, 1703 W. Tennessee St., held its vote the same day and won 4-to-3, out of 33 eligible voters.

However, there was one challenged ballot, leaving the NLRB regional director to decide whether or not to open and count the contested ballots. It is unclear how long this will take.

A Starbucks spokesperson wrote in a statement that the vote against unionizing "is a resounding vote of confidence in moving forward and continuing to partner directly with Starbucks."

"Regarding the 4-to-3 vote, and as we have said throughout, we will respect the process and will bargain in good faith guided by our principles," the spokesperson continued. "We hope that the union does the same."

Starbucks workers from across Tallahassee celebrate after securing a win in their union election Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Starbucks workers from across Tallahassee celebrate after securing a win in their union election Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Earlier coverage: Starbucks workers in Tallahassee win union election; first site in Florida to secure victory

Other Florida Starbucks' unionize: Workers at 2 Jacksonville Starbucks stores vote to unionize, adding to national movement

Starbucks organizing: Two more Tallahassee Starbucks stores file for union elections

These two votes arrived less than a month after a Tallahassee Starbucks — North Monroe Street and John Knox Road — became the first in the state to win its vote to unionize.

Since then, other stores across the state have secured victories, including two locations in Jacksonville and one in Oviedo, just outside of Orlando.

Calum Johnson, an employee at the John Knox store who helped lead the successful union effort, said, "The partners at Magnolia made their decision and that's OK."

He continued: "I hope the best for their store and if they wish to unionize later, we'll be there to help."

From left, Ethan Bischof, 17, Breanna Stamper, 22, and William, who would not say his last name, hold signs supporting Starbucks workers.
From left, Ethan Bischof, 17, Breanna Stamper, 22, and William, who would not say his last name, hold signs supporting Starbucks workers.

In early May, Starbucks announced a slew of investments aimed toward the retailer's workforce, like increased pay, more training for new baristas and scaling raises for tenured employees.

According to the statement, the average hourly pay of Starbucks employees will be nearly $17 an hour nationally by August, and all workers hired on or before May 2 will get either a 3% raise or $15 an hour pay.

Howard Schultz, who returned as CEO in early April amid a unionization movement that has swept more than 200 Starbucks locations across the country, made the  announcement about the new outlays.

"The investments will enable us to handle the increased demand – and deliver increased profitability – while also delivering an elevated experience to our customers and reducing strain on our partners," Shultz told investors.

"And we will reintroduce joy and connection back into the partner experience,” he said.

Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Two Tallahassee, Florida, Starbucks stores hold union votes