Nashville Starbucks workers join union in near-unanimous vote

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Workers at a Starbucks on Hillsboro Pike voted the unionize, becoming the first Nashville Starbucks with union representation.

The Nashville baristas joined a growing movement of more than 10,500 baristas to unionize their workplaces. The Starbucks location, located at the corner of Hillsboro Pike and Graybar Lane, is the first in Nashville and the sixth in Tennessee to join Starbucks Workers United (SBU) , according to a press release from the organization.

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“This election is about the community we serve and the partners that give their all to those that come into our store. We want to feel heard and supported and it’s been a very long time since Starbucks has made us feel that way. We want to know that they mean what they say in their mission and values. Winning this election is a step in that direction. We must take care of one another and that’s exactly what we are doing in our beautiful community. We are ecstatic, so here’s to a bridge to a better future. Together we can make a difference,” said Rabia Bamerni with SBU.

The Starbucks workers voted 17-1 to join SBU, according to the organization.

Starbucks later commented on the union election, sending a statement to News 2.

“At Starbucks, we believe that our direct relationship as partners is core to the experiences we create in our stores, and we respect our partners rights to have a choice on the topic of unions. We are committed to delivering on our promise to offer a bridge to a better future to all Starbucks partners,” the company said.

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