On June 17, workers from four East Bay Blue Bottle locations in California announced their intent to join the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU), marking the first steps towards unionization for the coffee chain in the state. Influenced by successful union organizing at other coffee companies like Starbucks, the workers highlighted serious concerns including high living costs, inconsistent staffing, and unsafe working conditions, such as sewage issues that required OSHA intervention. With over 70 locations nationally, the union seeks to address broader systemic problems within the company.
Workers at four East Bay Blue Bottle locations announced their intent to join the Blue Bottle Independent Union, citing concerns over living costs, staffing, healthcare, and unsafe conditions.
The unionization movement gained momentum after successful strikes at other coffee chains, highlighting worker dissatisfaction across the industry and the need for better practices and conditions.
Alex Reyes stressed the urgency of unsafe conditions, recalling how employees had to involve OSHA to address a long-standing sewage issue and the lack of response from management.
Concerns raised by the workers touch on economic exploitation and harassment, underlying deep-seated issues in the management approach taken by Blue Bottle since its acquisition by Nestle.
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