As part of the largest single-day filing since Starbucks employees began unionizing in 2021, workers at Kimball Junction’s location have petitioned to join Starbucks Workers United.
The baristas at the location on Newpark Boulevard, next to World Market, were sporting union pins Feb. 20—their first day going public with the effort.
They’ve joined 20 Starbucks stores in 13 states to demand better working conditions. They say they see common problems around the country, such as inconsistent hours and short staffing.
Employee of 4 years Kaylee OGrady, a shift supervisor at Kimball Junction, told KPCW their store hit record sales last year, despite the staffing challenges.
“People don’t want to work in that [environment],” they said. “We have a hard time holding on to people.”
Putting more work in the hands of fewer people, employees wrote in an open letter to CEO Laxman Narasimhan, shows “a habit of prioritizing sales and profits over partner safety.”
To read the full story, visit KPCW.org.
This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.