Bloomfield Starbucks becomes 1st unionized location in Pennsylvania

Workers at the Starbucks on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood unanimously voted to form a union Wednesday.

The Bloomfield store was the first of the chain’s locations in the Pittsburgh region to file to unionize — and the first in the state to vote in favor of unionizing. Workers at the store voted 20-0 to form a union with Workers United Pennsylvania Joint Board, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union.

“We are so proud to become the first union Starbucks cafe in Pennsylvania,” read the statement from the Bloomfield Starbucks Organizing Committee. “We are happy to carry the torch in Pittsburgh. Our win today is a win for baristas across the Commonwealth, and all workers in the struggle to organize! We urge Starbucks CEO to do what’s right and sign the Starbucks Workers United Non-interference and Fair Election Principles.”

A Starbucks spokesperson said the company is committing to following the process of the National Labor Relations Board in relation to the Bloomfield worker’s successful vote.

“We will become the best version of Starbucks by co-creating our future directly as partners,” said the spokesperson in a statement. “And we will strengthen the Starbucks community by upholding each other’s dreams; upholding the standards and rituals of the company; celebrating partner individuality and voice; and upholding behaviors of mutual respect and dignity.”

The Bloomfield store joins about 20 other Starbucks locations across the country that have successfully unionized.

Workers at several other Starbucks stores in the Pittsburgh area have filed to form a union, including in Oakland and Wilkins, and are awaiting their union votes.

The successful vote at the Bloomfield store garnered congratulations from many local Pittsburgh-area politicians, including Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and state. Reps. Summer Lee and Sara Innamorato.