Rockaway Starbucks baristas win union election as union passes 500-store milestone

ROCKAWAY, NJ (Morris County) — On the heels of Starbucks baristas passing a major milestone of more than 500 union-represented stores, the wave of Starbucks worker victories continued Thursday night as workers at the Rockaway Town Square location voted 9 to 4 to join Starbucks Workers United.

The Rockaway Town Square partners join a growing nationwide movement of more than 11,000 baristas who have voted to form their union to win justice at work, including protections on core issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling. Starbucks Workers United baristas have powered a “winning streak” of organizing as they continue to win union elections from coast to coast.

“I’m excited to join Starbucks Workers United. I hope that winning not only helps at Starbucks but also the food industry. I want more companies to see the benefits of having unions and compensating workers for their time and efforts,” said Daniel Aguirre, a barista of 2 years.

Thursday’s win follows dozens of victories in which workers voted to join Starbucks Workers United in California, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington State, and beyond in recent weeks. In the three years since Starbucks partners first joined together to form their union, workers at more than 500 Starbucks stores have voted to join Starbucks Workers United in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

The historic organizing campaign has surged forward as peer-to-peer organizing led by workers, for workers continues to sweep cities across the nation.

The news comes as union-represented partners and Starbucks continue making progress toward a foundational framework for store contracts. Workers United and Starbucks announced a major breakthrough on a path forward in late February, kicking off historic negotiations that have convened monthly since April.