Blue Bottle Independent Union members just voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, which could be announced at any moment. Blue Bottle, the upscale coffee chain, sure seems to be feeling the pressure, because the union just made big progress at the bargaining table.
For two years, Blue Bottle workers have been fighting for a contract that will give them wages they can actually live on, and they’ve made incredible progress at the bargaining table.
At the last bargaining session, workers reached a tentative agreement that gives them several major wins, including: protections from customer harassment, just cause for discipline, fair scheduling, and a clear attendance policy.
This progress toward a fair contract is only possible because of two things: workers bravely taking action and applying pressure over and over again through strikes, walk-outs, and marches on the boss, and the direct support of other working class people, including the Labor Force community, to help make those actions possible.
But the fight isn’t over yet. Workers still need to win wages they can live on, because Blue Bottle’s $18/hr base pay doesn’t pay the bills. 25% of Blue Bottle baristas rely on SNAP in order to afford groceries, and another 25% are financially providing for dependents while pouring lattes.
In Solidarity,
The Labor Force