According to a release from the union, the workers from the Olive Way and 5th Street locations are being relocated to a nearby store by Aug. 1, which will ensure there are no gaps in their schedules.
“The two-month guarantee of substantially equivalent hours for partners at their new store really helps ensure that there will be no gap in our employment. Starbucks advertises these great benefits but they cut our hours earlier in the year and uncertainty about the length of time between stores had many partners worried that we were at risk of not having enough hours to qualify for our healthcare,” said Stephanie N., a barista at the Olive Way store.
The workers also won the right of first refusal to return to the now-closed stores should Starbucks decide to reopen them, according to the union. Union representatives said the National Labor Relations Board had issued 16 official complaints against the company, which encompasses more than 70 charges and 500 allegations.
Starbucks union workers have been arguing that the coffee giant has been closing stores in retaliation of unions being formed.A spokesperson told KIRO 7 the stores were being closed due to how many crime-related complaints were logged at each store and that rates of drug use, theft and assault were considered. The spokesperson says the decision has nothing to do with two of the five locations being union stores.
KIRO 7 reached out to Starbucks for a statement about the negotiations leading to the concessions that the union announced, but has not heard back.