Fourth Street Peet’s Coffee has officially joined the Peet’s Labor Union, part of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), following successful unionization efforts at several other Peet’s locations in Berkeley and Oakland in 2023.
The decision to unionize was driven by concerns over working conditions at the Fourth Street store. Employees are demanding better control over their hours, higher wages, longer breaks, and improved training. A press release from the union stated that “Workers across Peet’s face understaffing, lack of training, speedup while making beverages, and wage stagnation, leading to deteriorating service.” The statement praised the IWW for its dedication to union democracy, rank-and-file organizing, and militant tactics.
Aidan Byrne-Sarno, a barista and organizer at the Fourth Street location, revealed that discussions about unionizing began in February. Workers, he said, face issues with limited hours and low wages, which compel many to take on additional jobs to make ends meet. Despite the recent increase in the minimum wage for fast-food employees to $20 an hour under AB 1228, Byrne-Sarno noted that wage issues persist. Additionally, some employees who were required to make drinks before receiving barista certification were not compensated at the higher barista wage rate and are seeking back pay.
In response to the union petition, Peet’s Coffee spokesperson Mary O’Connell stated, “We understand that a petition has been filed but we have not yet received it. We, of course, will respect the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) process and will follow it, consistent with federal labor laws.”
The cost of opening a Peet’s Coffee franchise, which starts at $40,000 or more, underscores the significant financial stakes involved in the company’s operations and the pressures on employees within these establishments.
In a show of solidarity, Fourth Street workers staged a protest in Oakland on Monday, disrupting a meeting of Peet’s upper management. They presented their demands and voiced concerns about customer sexual harassment, an issue they feel has been previously downplayed or blamed on the baristas themselves.
Byrne-Sarno emphasized the union’s commitment to protecting workers across all Peet’s locations, stating, “It doesn’t matter which store you’re at — we’re organizing, you’re a worker, you’re with us and we’re going to organize to defend you.”
Berkeley City Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra voiced support for the union effort, noting that their office was present when the workers filed their petition with the NLRB. Lunaparra urged Peet’s management to recognize the union voluntarily, aligning with the three other Peet’s locations that successfully unionized in 2023. “Workers throughout Berkeley should know that they have an ally in the District 7 City Council office and should not hesitate to reach out for support,” Lunaparra said.