Baristas at five Ontario Starbucks locations have ratified their first collective agreements with the United Steelworkers union (USW), marking a significant expansion of unionized coffee shops in the province.
The newly unionized locations include stores in Waterloo, Ajax, Kitchener and Toronto, USW officials announced Friday.
“The ratification of these agreements marks a powerful step forward for Starbucks workers,” said Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director. “Across Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, baristas are organizing, speaking out and winning real improvements in their workplaces.”
The five locations that have ratified contracts are Starbucks Waterloo Uptown, Starbucks Rossland and Hardwood in Ajax, Starbucks Kitchener – Fairway Plaza, Starbucks Waterloo – Conestoga Mall Indigo, and Starbucks Toronto – Pape and Danforth.
Growing movement
The USW represents 225,000 members across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America with 850,000 members across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
Union officials say they are committed to expanding representation at more Starbucks locations throughout Canada.
“Every time a Starbucks store ratifies their agreement, it sends a powerful message to workers everywhere that solidarity works and that their voices matter and we are there for them,” said Anita Bryan, District 6 Co-ordinator.
Broader impact
Stewart said the organizing success demonstrates that “when Starbucks workers stand together, they can achieve fair wages, better schedules and the respect they deserve.”
The union campaign comes amid increasing labor activism in the service sector, where workers have traditionally faced challenges organizing.
These agreements could signal changing dynamics in employer-employee relations in the food service industry, which has historically maintained low unionization rates compared to other sectors.
The USW is encouraging employees at other Starbucks locations to join their organizing efforts as they continue pushing for improved working conditions across the coffee chain.
