Blue Bottle Independent Union, the worker-led union representing baristas in nine cafés in two states, is preparing to strike after their last round of first-contract negotiations with Blue Bottle.
Why indie, you might ask? For many workers, independent unionism allows them to run their unions the way they see fit: democratically, and with complete autonomy over how they organize.
Unions like Blue Bottle Independent Union know that their strength is in their willingness and readiness to take action–to walk out, march on the boss, and even strike–and remaining an independent union lets them go as hard as they need to in order to win the contract they deserve.
And their strategy is working. At the most recent bargaining session, the union won some key concessions on scheduling and other proposals that, once ratified, will hugely improve baristas’ quality of life.
But Blue Bottle hasn’t moved on wages, and that just won’t fly. Unionized Blue Bottle baristas live in two of the highest cost-of-living areas in the U.S., Boston and the Bay Area. About 25% of them rely on SNAP benefits to help make ends meet–that’s about the same percentage as Amazon workers.[1] The starting wage for a Blue Bottle barista at union locations is about $18 to $20 per hour–yet the living wage for a single adult in Boston or the Bay Area is $32.46 and $33.71, respectively.[2]
Thank you for supporting Blue Bottle baristas!
In Solidarity,
The Labor Force
Sources:
- https://warehouseworkers.org/amazon-real-snap-beneficiary/
- https://livingwage.mit.edu/