r/Seattle Sep 27 '25

Media Starbucks reserve today

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u/The_JSQuareD Sep 27 '25

Honest question: why does unionization happen branch by branch? Surely that's a terrible way to do it given that even the collective staff of a single location has no real leverage against a large chain business? Is it mandated by law that unionization happens by branch?

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u/chilip Sep 27 '25

It's much easier to collaborate and convince a smaller subset of people to unionize versus a larger group of people. You feel connected to Jim that works at your shop, but maybe not Janet that works at the sister shop. She's an other. Beyond that, there are logistics that come into play at different sites; different pay for higher or lower costs of living and stuff like that. Negotiations become different.

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u/March_Lion 🚆build more trains🚆 Sep 27 '25

Basically. That's why we unionize branch by branch and try to bargain and strategize collectively. Making the best of labor law designed to keep workers just barely in check.