Baristas at Lewis Center Starbucks unionize, as union passes 500-store milestone

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- Another central Ohio Starbucks has won a union election, joining the legion of baristas nationwide whose effort to unionize the company recently passed 500 stores.

Baristas at the 6289 Pullman Dr. store in Lewis Center voted 17-1 on Oct. 24 to Join Starbucks Workers United, the union representing U.S. Starbucks employees. The vote in Lewis Center makes the store the 26th in Ohio and the 12th in the Columbus area to join the union that now represents more than 11,000 workers.

"I'm excited to be part of a growing community of baristas fighting for consistent hours, better pay, and a better workplace," said Justin Cripe, a shift supervisor at the location for three years. "I am tired of profits being prioritized over baristas' well-being, and I believe being a part of this union will give us a voice."

Baristas in Lewis Center held their vote after another Starbucks location in Washington became the 500th store to join Workers United earlier this month. Since the union's formation in 2021, workers at locations across 45 states have voted to unionize.

"This milestone is a testament to workers building power from the ground up," said Lynne Fox, president of Workers United. "Starbucks partners have boldly demanded a voice on the job and with it, strong contracts that ensure respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, fair scheduling and more."

Workers United and Starbucks announced in February that negotiations would be taking place to work toward a foundational framework for store contracts. Those negotiations have been convening monthly since April.

The Seattle coffee company also recently underwent a change in leadership. Former Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol was named the head of Starbucks in August, stating in a release that he is "grateful for the opportunity to help steward this incredible company, alongside hundreds of thousands of devoted partners."

More and more local Starbucks are joining Workers United after the union launched a nationwide strike against the company last year that several central Ohio locations took part in. The protest strategically fell on Red Cup Day, in which customers who order any size holiday beverage receive a free limited-edition red cup at participating stores.

That strike came several months after employees at Grandview Heights and downtown Columbus locations joined about 150 Starbucks stores on strike in accusing company management of banning workers from installing decorations celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

The Clintonville Starbucks at 3580 N. High St. also won its union election by a vote of 17-1 earlier this year. The first store to unionize in Ohio arrived just two years ago, at a store in the 88 E. Broad St. tower. Other central Ohio union-backed locations include stores in Grove City, Ohio State University, West Fifth Avenue, West Henderson, Westerville and Worthington.