CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
title
A RESOLUTION expressing the Seattle City Council’s support for workers at Starbucks in Seattle who are attempting to form a union, and urging Starbucks to accept card check neutrality.
body
WHEREAS, union representation has important benefits for workers, particularly for workers of color, including better pay, benefits, working conditions, and job security. The Union Members - 2020 report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on January 22, 2021, found that in 2020 “[n]onunion workers had median weekly earnings that were 84 percent of earnings for workers who were union members”; and
WHEREAS, on December 6, 2021, Bloomberg reported that U.S. corporations are amassing record profits, explaining that “third-quarter after-tax corporate profits from current production amounted to 11% of gross domestic product, … more profits in the three months ended in September than ever before. Not just in dollar terms-something that happens frequently-but as a share of the economy”; and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2021, Starbucks issued a press release claiming “Record Q4 and Full Year Fiscal 2021 Results,” and “Consolidated net revenues of $29.1 billion increased 24% (21% on a 52-week basis) from the prior year”; and
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2021, Gallup reported 68 percent of adults in the U.S. support labor unions, the highest approval rate since 1965, and 77 percent of young adults (18- to 34-year-olds) support unions; and
WHEREAS, in December 2021, workers employed at two Starbucks locations in Buffalo, New York, successfully voted to unionize into Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and are currently fighting for a first contract; and
WHEREAS, Starbucks executives are notorious for opposing the unionization of their workforce, employing tactics that workers have described as “union busting”; and
WHEREAS, on October 13, 2021, WIVB, the CBS affiliate in Buffalo, New York, reported that Starbucks “closed two of its Buffalo-area stores that are attempting to become the first locations in the country to unionize”; and
WHEREAS, on October 29, 2021, CNBC reported that the National Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of Starbucks Workers United, when Starbucks attempted to prohibit individual stores from holding unionization votes; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2021, Bloomberg reported that “Pro-union employees have alleged that in recent weeks Starbucks deployed out-of-town managers to visit their stores and try to dissuade them from unionizing. The employees said they were pressured to attend meetings in which company representatives warned that organizing could lead to the loss of some benefits”; and
WHEREAS, baristas working at the Starbucks located at 101 Broadway East in Seattle’s Capitol Hill have reported that they and their coworkers are attempting to organize into the union, Starbucks Workers United, and have requested support from elected officials to demand Starbucks “let the workers freely decide without any interference, threats, or intimidation”; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Washington Starbucks baristas and industry adjacent workers are already organized into unions and represented by Unite HERE 8, Teamsters 117, and UFCW 21. These workers stand in solidarity with their siblings in their effort to join them in the labor movement to have a voice on the job and wages and benefits governed by a collective bargaining agreement; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Starbucks workers are demanding a voice in their workplace and a seat at the table to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions, health and safety protections, adequate staffing, seniority pay, and a living wage; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle City Council supports Starbucks workers who are organizing to form a union in Seattle. The Seattle City Council believes that this unionization drive will benefit not only Starbucks workers, but all workers in Seattle.
Section 2. The Seattle City Council urges Starbucks to do the same and accept card check neutrality and allow their workforce to discuss unionization free from threats, intimidation, anti-union propaganda, and lawsuits. If Starbucks workers in Seattle unionize, the Seattle City Council urges Starbucks to bargain a fair contract such that the workers can have good standards of living and the company’s overwhelming wealth does not flow just to the top executives and shareholders.
Section 3. The Seattle City Council recommends all workers in Seattle organize into unions to collectively fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2022, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)