Starbucks baristas in Clearwater vote to unionize

Employees at a Starbucks in Clearwater have voted to unionize.

According to Starbucks Workers United, the vote was 8-1.

The employees’ decision makes the 433 Cleveland St. location the 10th Starbuck’s shop in the state to approve joining a union. Locally, the North Dale Mabry Highway and Linebaugh Avenue shop in Tampa voted 13-5 to join in May.

It is also one of 15 nationwide locations to vote in favor of unionizing this month.

In all, Starbuck Workers United says in a statement, more than 480 stores in 45 states have unionized since 2021.

Starbucks, for its part, has said it stands by employees who decide to unionize and that it hopes to reach a ratified agreement with stores that have joined this year.

“At Starbucks we believe that our direct relationship as partners is core to the experiences we create in our stores, and we respect our partners rights to have a choice on the topic of unions,” company spokesperson Jay Go Guasch said when it was announced earlier this month that the store was requesting a vote.

“We are committed to delivering on our promise to offer a bridge to a better future to all Starbucks partners.”