Lynbrook Starbucks Workers Stage 2-Day Strike Over Memorial Day Weekend

Starbucks baristas at the unionized Lynbrook location went on strike for two days over Memorial Day weekend, according to their union, Starbucks Workers United.

The striking Starbucks employees walked off the job, located at 839 Sunrise Hwy., at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 28 and picketed outside the store. Unionized workers are claiming that they are being treated unfairly by management who are favoring anti-union workers over them. The store’s staff chose to unionize in a vote of 14-8 in February.

“We’re striking due to favoritism among staff that has led to false write-ups, as well as the amount of understaffing that has caused workers to become burnt out,” said Ana Martinez, a Starbucks employee for nearly two years. “We’re doing this together to show management that we want to be treated fairly and that they need to give us enough people to be able to work safely.”

Starbucks Workers United alleges that Lynbrook Starbucks managers unfairly demoted a union leader and have issued retaliatory write-ups and hour cuts to those who support the union.

A spokesperson for Starbucks noted that the company has established a dedicated labor relations team and a management training program to support managers when any labor issues may arise.

“We respect the rights of all partners to make their own decisions about union representation and to engage in lawful union activities without fear of reprisal or retaliation,” the spokesperson said.

He also added that Starbucks has proposed to begin bargaining with Starbucks Workers United for a contract for the Lynbrook Starbucks store and has not yet received a response.

Said Liv Ryan, a Starbucks employee for three years, “If we were respected and treated with dignity to begin with there would be no issues at all. We’re striking because we’ve tried other methods to point out this hypocrisy but management and Starbucks corporate refuse to respect us.”

The Lynbrook Starbucks is one of five unionized Starbucks stores on Long Island and one of more than 300 in the nation. Others that have unionized on Long Island are located in Wantagh, Farmingville, Westbury, and Massapequa.