Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Workers at a second Better Buzz location in San Diego voted to join a union on Monday. The vote at the Mira Mesa location came almost exactly a month after Better Buzz United announced it had filed the initial paperwork to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). Baristas, trainers and shift supervisors at the Mira Mesa store followed the lead of workers at Better Buzz’s location in Hillcrest, who approved unionization in May. Workers at both branches said they have concerns about wages, benefits, scheduling and overall workplace safety.
“It’s a shame that a company boasting about its rapid expansion and plans to further grow continues to neglect the workers who are the lifeblood of their business,” said Maribel Mckinze, UFCW Local 135 organizing director. “The employees at Better Buzz Mira Mesa have shown the strength workers have when they unite to fight for what they have rightfully earned. While the company has its plans for expansion, so does the union.”