Third Springfield Starbucks Votes 20-1 to Join Starbucks Workers United

Baristas at the Starbucks at 2616 S. Glenstone voted 20-1 on Feb. 11 to join Starbucks Workers United, a result that was certified and publicized in mid-February and that union representatives say makes the store Missouri’s 18th SBWU location. The vote tally and certification were reported in mid-February and add to a local trend of organizing in Springfield.

Springfield’s first successful Starbucks union drive was at 631 S. Glenstone, where workers voted 11-5 in August 2022, and a second store at 1008 E. Battlefield Road joined SBWU in November 2024. The 2616 S. Glenstone victory is the third for the city and follows more than three years of organizing activity that began in late 2021.

Organizers at the 2616 S. Glenstone store framed the win around workplace issues. Shift supervisor Faith Melton, who has worked at the store for four years, said in a press release that “Starbucks as a whole CAN do better and we are holding them accountable. We are demanding respect, proper treatment, livable wages, proper scheduling, and healthier work environments and conditions.” Melton added, “We are so excited that our moment has come. Any dream can become a reality.” Barista Weslie Thomas, also with four years at the store, said in the same release, “We should expect and voice better treatment in all aspects of our lives including our workplace, it is where we spend our time and where we put our hearts.”

The local vote sits inside a larger organizing push that the union characterized in a press release as more than 570 unionized Starbucks stores nationwide representing over 11,000 workers. The release also stated that more than 2,000 workers joined Workers United in the last year, that union elections have an 82 percent win rate, and that baristas across 45 states and the District of Columbia are working toward finalizing a fair union contract. Starbucks’ global headcount is listed on the company website as more than 361,000 employees.

Materials publicizing the Feb. 11 result note the vote was certified and publicized in mid-February, but the certifying body was not named in the provided reporting and no Starbucks statement specific to the Feb. 11 vote was included. A corporate statement Starbucks provided to a local reporter in 2022 read, “From the beginning, we’ve been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners, without a union between us, and that conviction has not changed. We respect our partner’s right to organize and are committed to following the [National Labor Relations Board] process.”

Local reaction on a Facebook thread under the news post was mixed. The post captured 64 reactions and 11 comments at the time of capture; commenters included Jillian Slack correcting punctuation, “Dear Springfield News‑Leader: Your apostrophe is in the wrong place. It should be: locations’ Not: location’s You’re welcome,” and Lawrence Frizell writing, “Give your hard earned money to union dues.” Other commenters warned of possible firings and argued about the replaceability of service workers.

Organizers and the store have not published a bargaining timeline in the materials provided. The union count of 18 Missouri locations was attributed to a union representative in business reporting; the identity of that representative and documentary confirmation of certification were not included in the materials and remain points to confirm as bargaining preparations move forward.