Brown Visits Cincinnati Starbucks to Support Workers Who Voted to Unionize

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited the Starbucks location at 401 Vine St. in Cincinnati to show support for hourly workers who voted to unionize last month.

"These Ohioans are doing what generations of workers have done in our state -- banding together to advocate for themselves and have a voice on the job," said Brown. "This is the new frontier of union organizing, and these workers' success will help turn more service sector jobs into good jobs. All work has dignity -- whether you punch a clock or swipe a badge or make coffee. There's no reason a job at Starbucks should come with fewer rights and less of a career path than a manufacturing job."

The Cincinnati store voted to unionize last month, following a letter workers sent to Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, mentioning the unique challenges and "high intensity situations" of the downtown location. The letter stated the workers are seeking to work with Starbucks as "equal partners, not exploitable laborers."

Brown proudly ordered his drink "union strong" to show his support for their successful union effort. Unionize.

"The partners of Starbucks at 4th and Vine are proud to have the unwavering support of their community, including the Senator Sherrod Brown," said Lou Shamblin, one of the store's union organizers. "Unity and community values are what makes victories possible, not just in Cincinnati, but across the United States. Together, partners and communities, come to create a positive organization effort."

"It's really exciting to see our generation doing something that's really making an impact," said Starbucks employee Hugh Moscoe.

Brown has long advocated for the dignity of work, and champions the rights of workers to organize. In a letter to Schultz, Brown asked the company to voluntarily recognize the union campaign and create a national standard for Starbucks workers across the country.

Source