Unions

Starbucks union proposal arises as state’s rate of organized labor hits historic low

BY: - July 2, 2023

If Starbucks workers in Aberdeen succeed in unionizing, they’ll achieve a rare victory in a state where the share of unionized workers has fallen to a historic low of less than 5%. Some workers at the Aberdeen location say long hours and understaffed shifts pushed them to organize.  “In the time that each of us […]

Grace Larson, former licensed practical nurse with Planned Parenthood North Central States and bargaining member of SEIU Healthcare MN & IA, poses for a portrait outside of the SEIU offices of St. Paul on March 30, 2023. Larson is challenging her termination from Planned Parenthood. (Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Planned Parenthood affiliate fires two union leaders, disciplines entire bargaining team

BY: - March 31, 2023

Planned Parenthood North Central States has fired two members of the elected bargaining team in charge of negotiating wages, benefits and working conditions for hundreds of newly unionized employees across five states, including South Dakota. The other 11 bargaining team members have received “final written warnings,” which says they can be terminated immediately if they […]

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders conducts a U.S. Senate hearing March 29, 2023. (Committee video screenshot)

Bernie Sanders confronts former Starbucks CEO over union-busting allegations

BY: - March 29, 2023

WASHINGTON — Democratic senators at a hearing on Wednesday grilled the former CEO of Starbucks over allegations that the giant coffee company intimidated, harassed and fired workers who tried to form unions. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent and former presidential candidate who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, focused on Starbucks’ […]