Where are people getting this idea that a contract is already in effect after mere months? And that the union had any input on its members’ wages? There is no contract yet. They held a vote expressing their desire to form a union. THAT’S. IT. And believe it or not that’s the easy part. Roughly a quarter of newly elected unions never achieve a first contract! And that’s perfectly fine apparently because US labor law is fucked. This is only the first step in a long process of building worker power and it will pay off. Those wages and benefits that non union stores got—they arent locked in. Starbucks can roll them back tomorrow. And guaranteed they will if they are able to stomp out this organizing fire. Also these union busting increases aren’t that great since they often come with reduced hours and other slight of hand tactics that appear generous but end up costing Starbucks very little, while take home pay for workers remains the same.

In the meantime, Starbucks will use every dirty trick it can to keep this from spreading.