Brookline Starbucks Workers Declare Strike Victory

BROOKLINE, MA — Unionized Starbucks baristas at 874 Comm Ave in Brookline have declared a strike victory after picketing for over two months, according to Boston Starbucks Workers United.

The store, which voted to unionize in June, has held a picket line outside since July 18. Baristas said it took 64 days for the company to agree to their terms, which included removing a minimum availability requirement, replacing and investigating the behavior of the store manager, and reviewing labor needs more frequently.

"We want to take a moment to thank every sinele person who took the time to join us on the picket line, talk to a striking worker, bring us food and water, donate to our strike fund, sign our petitions, and support us every step of the way,” the baristas said in a statement. "Keeping our picket line alive 24-hours a day for 64 days took a village of community supporters, union siblings, friends, and Starbucks workers - we absolutely could not have done this without each and every one of you. We are incredibly inspired by this display of solidarity, and we look forward to supporting y'all in the larger fight for worker power. Thank you for helping us secure these wins.

In a letter to management announcing the strike in July, employees said they “have been subjected to not only a slew of unfair labor practices, but also a chaotic and hostile work environment.”

The strikers alleged that Tomi Chorlian, a Store Manager temporarily assigned to 874 Comm Ave, is responsible for these issues, claiming that she has made "illegal threats of discipline or termination of employees,” cut hours for long-time employees while understaffing shifts and continuing to hirenew employees, and made schedule changes with no notice.

"Ms. Chorlian does not align with Starbucks' proposed mission and value of 'creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome,’ by perpetuating harmful and offensive rhetoric with respect to the race, gender, and orientation of both our partners and customers,” the baristas wrote.

The workers said they would “strike until further notice,” demanding that management terminate Chorlian from her current position and require her to go through further training. In addition, they asked the company to review labor needs with workers on a monthly basis to ensure that shifts are adequately staffed.

As of Tuesday, baristas said District Manager Phil Mann is actively seeking a replacement for Chorlian.

“As a store, we are prepared to share our specific needs with Mr. Mann and return to the way our store handled scheduling prior to Ms. Chorlian’s arrival,” they wrote.