Three Starbucks (Seattle) locations in Buffalo, N.Y., voted this past week to decide whether or not they will form a union, reports CNBC. If successful, they will be the first company-owned locations with a union.
With the potential union facing opposition from Starbucks management, the company reportedly sent its top executives, including former CEO Howard Schultz, to the locations in Buffalo, dubbed a “union busting” measure by Starbucks Workers United. Starbucks also appealed to The National Labor Relations Board to widen the vote to all 20 stores in the Buffalo market, but Tuesday the request was denied.
Mail-in voting concludes today, Wednesday, and will be counted this Thursday afternoon by The National Labor Relations Board (Washington, D.C.). Approximately 100 employees between the three locations were able to participate in the vote.