Quickie Issue: Starbucks, Unions, & The Potential Impact on Service & Retail Businesses

The "Great Resignation" has created significant leverage for employees everywhere, and the new union push may continue to change the labor landscape

I know it’s Sunday. Family time, Super Bowl, etc. I hate to intrude on your day and I promise I will keep it brief. But this ever-evolving saga of Starbucks and the effort to unionize their shops is gaining steam and I thought it might be interesting to share some various perspectives with you.

Why?

Well, simply put, the results of the Starbucks situation could have meaningful long-term impact on both service and retail businesses across the country. That may mean you!

Per Time magazine: “The Starbucks campaign is unfolding at a moment of unusual leverage for U.S. workers. They’ve been emboldened by a tight labor market and inspired to demand payback for the risks and sacrifices they shouldered during the pandemic, and to reverse concessions they acceded to in past years’ contract talks. Union members have recently authorized potential strikes involving over 100,000 workers in a slew of different industries, while workers in general have been quitting their jobs in record numbers.”

Take a peek at the following articles. If you find them helpful, and you think others might, please share this issue.

Everything You Should Know About the Starbucks Union Wave

‘This is a National Movement’: Union Drives Surge at US Starbucks Stores

Starbucks Fires 7 Employees Involved in Memphis Union Effort

The Starbucks Unionization Effort Is Now An 'Unprecedented' Nationwide Movement

Will Starbucks Union Wins Start a Trend Around the Country?

Starbucks Is Desperately Trying To Slow A Union Campaign That's Caught Fire

Young Workers Give Unions New Hope

Why Even Progressive Companies Like REI are Wary of Unions

Any way to look at it, this is a story worth watching and understanding. I will keep you updated on what I hear and see in our regular Tuesday issues.

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