The Starbucks in The Gallery at Westbury on Thursday joined a growing list of locations that have filed a petition to unionize, according to Starbucks Workers United, a division of the Workers United NY/NJ Regional Joint Board.
Employees of The Gallery at Westbury Starbucks, located on Old Country Road in Garden City, signed a letter stating their intention to hold a vote to enter the union. They join more than 200 Starbucks locations that have filed nationwide, including 10 in downstate New York and at least three on Long Island, including in Great Neck and Massapequa.
“We are supposed to be partners in a larger community, but we feel so very alone in the challenges we are facing,” said Jen Dunn, who has worked at The Gallery at Westbury Starbucks location for about a year and a half. “We decided to organize a union to help us and to help everyone.”
The move by Starbucks workers drew support from the president of the Long Island Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), John R. Durso.
“Due to the outdated labor laws in this country, filing for a union election in this country is very difficult. The Starbucks Partners at the Westbury location have demonstrated tremendous courage thus far and will undoubtedly face many obstacles between now and the conclusion of their election,” Durso said. “Their commitment will be tested. We stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with them and will support their efforts to secure better wages, dignity, and respect in the workplace. ”
Also on Thursday, three other New York Starbucks locations in Rockland County, Queens, and Brooklyn filed a petition to unionize. Union leaders say that the New York City Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chelsea winning its union vote is driving momentum that’s inspiring more locations to file petitions for a vote. There have been 22 Starbucks union votes thus far, and 20 have been successful, the union said.
The Great Neck and Massapequa locations have received mail-in ballots and voting results will be counted and announced within the next few weeks. Ballots will be mailed for the Gallery at Westbury location on May 5, according to the union.
Related Story: Massapequa Starbucks is Second LI Location to Push for Unionization
Related Story: Great Neck Starbucks Petitions to Unionize, Joining Dozens Nationwide
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