JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Workers at two Starbucks locations in Jacksonville are helping lead unionization efforts in Florida. They’ve both won their bid to unionize, becoming among the first ones in the Sunshine State.
RELATED: Two Jacksonville Starbucks stores unionize
What do employees say they want now that they’ve unionized? Better pay and staffing and less turnover, although Starbucks maintains unions are not necessary to achieve this. Still, these workers pushed forward.
The Starbucks at Ricky Drive and San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, along with the Starbucks at San Marco Square both voted to unionize on Tuesday.
In Mandarin, it came down to a close 10-7 vote, while in San Marco, the vote swept 8-1. In Florida, they’ll join unionized stores in Tallahassee and Miami Springs.
Across the country, Starbucks Workers United says workers at more than 60 Starbucks have won their bids to unionize.
“Just so happy,” said Kayla Elopulos, a barista trainer at the San Marco location. “Just the energy and everything is so great.” She says she’s been working there for the past two years. “About a year ago, I trained three people who were making a dollar 50 more than me,” she pointed out.
But now, she says she’s looking forward to what’s next. “I’m really excited for the whole process of collective bargaining and just to see how Starbucks responds to our requests.” She also believes unionization will improve customer service.
“I mean, we’re happier,” she said. “And if we’re happier, the customers are going to be happier, they see that and it kinda reflects.”
Florida is a Right to Work State, which means workers at these stores don’t have to pay dues but can still benefit from the union’s decisions.
More than 240 stores have started the election process across 33 states with the Starbucks Workers United movement. About a dozen have voted down a union.
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