Bed-Stuy Cafe Workers Push To Join Starbucks Union

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — Workers at a popular Ocean Hill coffee shop are "pressing" for a union at the Daily Press.

Workers at the Daily Press — a cafe and bar on Somers Street and Rockaway Avenue — announced Wednesday their intention to file for union recognition with Workers United NY/NJ.

Workers United, the representative of Starbucks Workers United — the group who have unionized 258 of the behemoth's shops — said the move comes after Daily Press' owner in October announced "drastic and sudden" cuts to their hours.

In response, the workers began to organize for a union to represent the eleven employees.

In a press release, a representative from Workers United said the cafe workers hope that by forming a union, they can foster a "meaningful collaborative relationship with management," when it comes to negotiations over working conditions, scheduling and wages.

“We are organizing for better wages, benefits, job security, fair scheduling, and a seat at the table; having more of a voice with regard to decisions that affect our day to day lives as workers,” said Tomás Laster, an employee at the cafe since June.

A message requesting comment from the Daily Press was not returned.

Daily Press opened in 2016 and has since expanded to include evening bar service, hosting popular events like trivia nights, open mics, karaoke and other gatherings.

“The shop is indebted to the people in this community who have kept it alive," said Gabriel Caldwell, an employee since 2020. "That includes its workers."

Caldwell added that while "bar and Barista service may differ, but we built this place together. We’re doing this to continue to serve our neighborhood, and serve each other.”

This is not the first Bed-Stuy cafe to consider its organizational options. The bar Oddly Enough, is also pursing union recognition.

Daily Press employee Amber Crabb, said unionizing was about protecting a "community-hub in Ocean Hill."

"Local teachers gather before school, FDNY Captains host weekly squad meetings, artists collaborate, people network with future employers, and remote workers find an office away-from-home," Crabb said.

"When hours were cut, every employee had the right to think 'That’s not my problem!' and find work elsewhere. We all see a fostered community that is absolutely worth preserving.”