The Florida Education Association (FEA) and several of its local unions have announced their support for Starbucks Workers United (SWU) and striking baristas at unionized Starbucks stores, including those in Florida. The FEA, which represents over 123,000 teachers and education staff professionals in the state, joined other local unions to issue a resolution expressing solidarity with Starbucks workers.
According to the resolution, workers at unionized Starbucks locations across the country have participated in lawful strikes to advocate for fair wages, safer working conditions, predictable scheduling, and good-faith negotiations with company management. SWU has reported ongoing issues such as retaliation against union supporters, refusal by Starbucks to bargain collectively, unilateral changes to workplace conditions, and withholding of benefits from employees who are part of the union.
The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in multiple complaints against Starbucks related to alleged anti-union practices. These include discrimination against union members, surveillance of organizing activities, and failure to negotiate as required by law.
The FEA’s statement highlights that “the right of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted action, including strike activity, is a fundamental right recognized under the National Labor Relations Act and is central to the strength of all labor unions.” The association also connects the experiences of Starbucks workers in Florida with broader national efforts for worker rights.
In its resolution, FEA calls on Starbucks “to immediately cease all anti-union activity, reinstate terminated workers, comply with all NLRB rulings, and begin good-faith bargaining with all unionized stores.” The organization encourages its members and community partners to support these efforts by amplifying worker voices and respecting picket lines.
The statement concludes: “We reaffirm the principle that an injury to one is an injury to all, and that the fight of Starbucks baristas is a fight for the future of worker rights, fair workplaces, and the health of the American labor movement.”
For more information about SWU’s initiatives or ongoing actions by unionized Starbucks employees nationwide or in Florida specifically,
visit https://sbworkersunited.org/.
