Starbucks workers in Ellicott City to unionize

Workers at the Starbucks on Route 40 in Ellicott City plan to unionize, according to a release sent today.

The organization, Starbucks Workers United, says workers at the Ellicott City location filed a petition with the National Labor Relations board to join the nationwide union.

"We're tired of being divided and pitted against each other. We are coming together to ensure that our interests are represented," said Anja Alden in the statement, an employee at the Ellicott City store.

According to Starbucks Workers United, more than 300 Starbucks stores in 38 states and DC have unionized, including 6 in Maryland.

• Nottingham Square Shopping Center, White Marsh MD
• 1209 N. Charles Street, Baltimore MD
• 1700 W Nursery Rd. Linthicum Heights, MD
• 450 Thompson Creek, Stevensville MD
• Route 1 Bel Air Plaza, Bel Air MD
• 16806 Georgia Ave, Olney MD

In response to this article, Starbucks reached out to WMAR-2 News and provided a lengthy statement.

It said, in part:

"..More than 97% of our partners at our more than 9,300 U.S. company-owned stores have chosen to maintain a direct employment relationship with Starbucks. We recognize that a subset of partners feel differently—and we respect their right to organize and to engage in lawful union activities without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

As a next step, we welcome the opportunity for partners at our Ellicott City store to vote in a neutral, secret ballot election conducted by the NLRB—which allows all partners to make their own informed decision regarding union representation."