Reading Starbucks Workers Hold ‘Sip In’ Amid Unionization Effort

READING, MA — Reading’s Starbucks location on Main Street was the site of a “sip in” demonstration on Monday, joining multiple locations across the state in what organizers described as a “day of action" in response to a new benefits package that excludes stores that are in the process of unionizing.

The sip in was scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the union Boston Starbucks Workers United.

"Baristas throughout Massachusetts are taking action in response to the national benefits rollout excluding organizing and unionized partners," the union tweeted early Monday morning. "Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, or Reading, show up and support your local baristas!"

This came just over a month after Starbucks workers in Reading formally petitioned to unionize their store back in late June. That triggered a series of steps to lead to an eventual union vote.

Now, organizers say, they’re gearing up for a union election on Aug. 15.

Union efforts have been taking place in Starbucks stores across the county in recent months. In Reading, baristas detailed their concerns in their petition to unionize, which they shared on social media. They cited difficult working conditions amid product and labor shortages, among other things.

Baristas credited their store manager and district manager for what they said have been efforts to support them. They criticized larger company policies, however, that they said have left local managers’ hands “continually tied.”

The Reading Starbucks store currently looking to unionize is located at 288 Main Street in Reading. It is one of two Starbucks locations in Reading.

The Starbucks benefits package was scheduled to take effect today, offering a series of benefits and pay increases. NPR previously reported that, while all employees would receive pay increases, unionizing locations would be excluded from the benefits.

"We do not have the same freedom to make these improvements at locations that have a union or where union organizing is underway," Starbucks President and CEO Howard Schultz said in a conference call, as reported by NPR.

As Reading held its event, a similar sip in was taking place at a Starbucks store in Gardner on Monday. Strikes took effect in Boston, Brookline, Watertown and Worcester and were set to continue on Tuesday as of Monday night, according to Boston Starbucks Workers United.