Supervisor Preston Introduces Resolution to Support Starbucks Workers’ Right to Organize

SAN FRANCISCO — District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution today to support Starbucks workers’ efforts to unionize their shops in San Francisco. The Resolution calls on Starbucks to let workers freely decide whether to unionize without any interference, threats or intimidation.

“As a Democratic Socialist, I am fighting for an economy that works for every worker in San Francisco, and we know unions are an integral part of that fight,” said Supervisor Preston. “San Francisco is a union town, and we are thrilled to support our local workers as they join the national movement for worker solidarity.”

Starbucks workers are unionizing across the country in a historic campaign for the service industry, with many stores demanding better health and safety conditions, protections from unfair firings or unfair discipline, seniority rights, leaves of absence rights, benefits, and fair wages. Over 300 Starbucks stores have filed for union elections, and the campaign can claim over 180 victories for the coffee chain’s workers. The campaign is overseen by Starbucks Workers United (SBWorkersUnited), whose parent company is Workers United, an affiliate of SEIU.

The first Starbucks store in San Francisco filed for union recognition in June 2022, just a month after two shops in Santa Cruz voted to unionize, making them the first California to do so. Joe Thompson, a lead organizer with SBWorkersUnited who helped organize the Santa Cruz shops, shared their excitement to see San Francisco workers come on board to join the union and fight for our rights as workers.

“Look, you have this company that speaks the language of justice, but their CEOs are making money hand over fist during a time of economic stagnation and rising inflation, all because underpaid and underappreciated Starbucks partners (workers) show up every day in an incredibly expensive city to make the drinks and turn over the profit,” said Thompson. “Where’s the justice in that?”

Despite claiming publicly to bargain in good faith with the union, Starbucks has enacted an aggressive anti-organizing campaign, including firing union leaders and organizing committees, and closing shops in retaliation for organizing; Preston hopes his resolution will help curtail that for San Francisco’s workers by showing Board support for their fights.

Preston joins other democratic socialists and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members in bringing forward resolutions in support of Starbucks workers, including Chicago alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Minneapolis city councilmember Robin Wonsley Worlobah, and Seattle councilmember Kshama Sawant.

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