Starbucks workers at the Kensington Square location in Burnaby have joined the United Steelworkers union, adding to a growing number of unionized coffee shops across Canada.
The baristas organized in response to concerns about job security, staffing levels and inconsistent enforcement of workplace rules, including recent terminations of workers for dress code violations. The workers said the nationwide firings increased support for unionization at their store.
Workplace authenticity and voice
The Kensington Square employees cited the desire to express their authentic selves at work without facing punishment or termination as a key motivation for unionizing.
“We want to be our authentic selves and have a real voice at work and not punished or fired for simply showing up as who we are,” said one Kensington Square worker. “We’re done being silenced and told who to be. That goes against everything Starbucks claimed to stand for and we’re not staying quiet anymore. Starbucks needs to be better.”
Another worker emphasized the importance of workplace stability and representation in policy decisions.
“If you feel destabilized, under-appreciated or unheard, and you believe in a healthy, respectful workplace, just know this: from one worker to another, you are not alone,” said another Kensington Square worker. “For us, it also came down to wanting better staffing, real job security and a real say in the policies that impact us every day.”
Growing unionization movement
The United Steelworkers union is encouraging workers at other Starbucks locations to consider organizing, noting that each new unionized store strengthens collective bargaining power for all workers.
Scott Lunny, USW Western Canada Director, described the Kensington Square workers as part of a broader movement among baristas seeking improved working conditions.
“Workers at Kensington Square are joining a growing movement of baristas who are standing up and demanding better,” said Lunny. “These workers are showing immense courage and solidarity by organizing for their rights, and we are proud to stand with them as they build power on the job. Every new group of workers that joins the union strengthens the voice of all Starbucks workers across the country. It takes time to build, but I’m proud of the work they are doing.”
The United Steelworkers represents 225,000 members across nearly every economic sector in Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
