A group of Starbucks employees in downtown Hamilton has formed a union to address concerns such as customer harassment and wage structure ambiguity, according to the United Steelworkers union (USW). The workers at the Starbucks near Gore Park contacted USW and underwent a supervised voting process by the Ontario Ministry of Labour in early September, as stated by John Catto, the local USW coordinator.
This marks the sixth Starbucks location in Ontario to join USW, with the union also representing workers in Western Canada. In previous years, USW facilitated collective agreements for Starbucks shops in Ajax, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto. An employee from the Hamilton branch, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed the need for union representation to have a collective voice.
The worker, employed as a barista at the 112 King St. E. store, highlighted issues such as health and safety concerns, unclear attendance rules, lack of seniority recognition, corporate changes impacting employees, and the need for a stable wage structure. In response to these concerns, Starbucks emphasized its commitment to employee success, acknowledging that employees are integral to the company’s achievements.
While the newly unionized Hamilton workers are yet to commence negotiations for a collective agreement, Catto expressed optimism about initiating the process soon. USW intends to engage with other unionized Starbucks branches to leverage insights from their contract negotiations. The Hamilton barista believes that unionizing can set a positive example for other stores and improve working conditions.
In the past, Starbucks faced union-related issues, including the closure of its only unionized Vancouver store in 2023. USW raised concerns, leading to the B.C. Labour Relations Board finding Starbucks guilty of threatening a union-supporting employee. Despite past challenges, no Starbucks employees in Ontario have reportedly lost their jobs due to unionizing with USW.
Employee unionization has been a growing trend in workplaces like Starbucks in Hamilton, with instances at Coven Market and the now-closed café Democracy. The Hamilton barista encourages workers interested in organizing to seek guidance from a union. Catto echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of unions in ensuring fair treatment and respect for employees in the workplace.
