Starbucks In Brookline, Allston Become First To Unionize In MA

BROOKLINE, MA — The Starbucks stores at 277 Harvard Street in Brookline and 1304 Commonwealth Avenue in Allston have become the first two locations to unionize in Massachusetts, according to Starbucks Workers United.

Both stores won their union vote unanimously Monday during a live ballot count at the Brookline Booksmith. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) counted the votes via Zoom, determining that the Boston-area stores are officially the 17th and 18th stores in the country to successfully unionize.

The cafés in Brookline and Allston are two of 11 Starbucks stores that have filed paperwork to form unions in Massachusetts. The state's efforts started in December, shortly after employees in Buffalo, New York became the first in the country to successfully form a union of their own.

A total of 19 formal elections have been held at Starbuck locations across the country, meaning that nearly 100 percent of stores are voting in favor of organizing.

In addition, nearly 200 out of the approximately 9,000 cafés in across the country are in the beginning stages of unionizing.

Read more:

• Pro-Union Baristas At MA Starbucks Say They're Being 'Driven Out'
• Brookline Starbucks Employees Move To Unionize After NY Win
• Starbucks Speaks Out On Unionization In Brookline, Other Sites
• Starbucks Baristas In Brookline, Allston To Host Union Ballot Count