(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – A lot can happen in just 12 short months - and that’s entirety true when it comes to the young Workers who’ve taken on the Coffee Giant Starbucks, brewing a single and successful effort to Unionize one store in Buffalo that has percolated to Unionizing 270-plus stores and more than 7,000 Employees across the United States.

And while the Labor Movement currently enjoys the highest number of Americans (71%) who support Unions and what they offer, this group of young Starbucks Baristas have caught fire and are not only continuing to help Unionize Starbucks, but are inspiring so many others who are employed in places like Amazon, Costco, Target and Trader Vic’s to seek the same.

And make no mistake about it - these young Unionists are full of piss and vinegar, evidenced by the many f-bombs that were dropped on Friday (December 9th) as the Starbucks Unionizers rallied with their own, as well as with elected officials and a bevy of Buffalo-area Labor Unions and their Representatives to not only celebrate what they’ve accomplished to date - but rededicate themselves to fighting what they describe as a Union-Busting behemoth whose aim is to crush their beneficial efforts.

“Happy Birthday my friends!  ‘We are changing history,’” Jasmine Leli, a Starbucks Barista employed at the company’s Suburban Buffalo Genesee Street store - the second in history to Unionize, told those at the rally through the use of a megaphone. “We ‘chose to take on this battle, to make things better.’  (Starbucks) ‘sent in their biggest bullies and we won! - despite the unjust firings (of Unionizing Workers), closing stores and (them) gas lighting us.’  ‘We’re here with our incredible allies and we won’t stop fighting for Workers’ rights!’”

Starbucks Barista Michelle Eisen, who was at the rally and who was one of the original Starbucks Workers who started the Unionization Movement in Buffalo, tweeted out: “Change is possible and this is what it looks like!”

The Buffalo Starbucks Workers joined with nine other stores across the country on Friday who also held events to commemorate what they’ve accomplished, as well as what was described as their steadfast commitment to representing Workers in the face of the most prolific Union-Busting in modern U.S. History.

The event marked the one-year anniversary of the Elmwood Avenue location in Buffalo winning their Union vote in what many across the Labor Movement now say was a watershed moment in U.S. Labor History.

While the Workers’ campaign has since spread far and wide across the country, Starbucks management continues to bully their Baristas by firing Unionizing Workers, closing Unionizing stores, and, most notably, denying any Unionized Worker the chance to bargain a fair contract.

Despite that, the Starbucks Workers’ fight has inspired others in Buffalo too to do the same.

Wil Mouradian, who is part of Buffalo’s LGBTQ+ Community, is helping lead the Unionization charge at the Lexington Co-Op, with a Union Election to be held shortly by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – (WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Read More At www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2022/11/14/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/lexington-co-op-workers-united-launch-campaign-to-unionize-two-buffalo-stores/ ).

“This is ‘another fight for the future of the Labor Movement,’” he said with the help of a megaphone as he addressed those at the rally.  “It’s ‘hilarious (management) doesn’t see the value in this’ (its Workers Unionizing).  ‘We are smart and capable and so invested in each other and we should be able to shop where we work.’  ‘Right now, I can’t’ (because of low wages).  The Labor Movement ‘looks different now and we all deserve respect.’”

Former Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz also spoke at the rally, telling all: “‘Your actions have spread all across the country and as a Labor Federation, we stand in solidarity with you - all the way to the end.’  These companies ‘are looking to crush their Workers and we can only win with a united front to force real negotiations.’  ‘Our victory will set the stage’ (for other Workers to follow a similar path).”

Two speakers from the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) also addressed the crowd: Political Organizer Louisa Fletcher-Pacheco and Western New York Regional Director Joe Cantafio.

“‘How do we measure a year?,’” asked Fletcher-Pacheco.  “‘This started here and we are behind you!’”

“I will tell you two things,” Cantafio said.  “‘I am proud to be here and that you are supported by Teachers across this country.’  ‘We know what you have gone through.’  ‘You have become our (Union) siblings.’  ‘Until you get dignity and value in your workplace, and a fair contract – you can’t scare me.’  ‘I’m with the Union!’”

Among those Unions and their Representatives who attended the rally included the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, the Communications Workers of American, the United Auto Workers, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and the Stagehands. 

Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Denise Abbott was also in attendance.

U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins, who also spoke, described the Starbucks Workers as “Baristas rising.”  “‘Take pride that this movement started in Buffalo,’” Higgins said.

WNYLaborToday.com Photos.