LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Baristas working at Sunergos Coffee and a handful of Louisville-area Starbucks stores went on strike Monday in a call for contract agreements on better working conditions, the Service Employees International Union announced.

What You Need To Know

• Baristas at several Kentucky Starbucks and Sunergos Coffee locations went on strike Monday


• Workers at both companies have alleged unfair labor practices, accusing leadership of stifling their freedom to unionize


• Baristas at seven Starbucks stores in greater Louisville and southern Indiana have voted to form unions since May 2022. Workers at Sunergos' five Louisville locations voted to organize in January 2023


• It comes as a massive work stoppage at UPS looms, after negotiations for a new contract with its Teamsters union fell through

Workers at both companies have alleged unfair labor practices, accusing leadership of stifling their freedom to unionize and collectively bargain for contracts.

“We are not making any coffee today to send Sunergos a message. It’s time to stop stalling. It’s time to sit down with us to reach an agreement that respects our work and invests in the baristas who make Sunergos’ growth and success possible,” said Bekah Ryherd, a Sunergos Coffee barista and member of the union negotiating committee.

Clove Harrington has been a barista for two years at Sunergos on Preston Street.

By 11 a.m. she and her fellow baristas had visited three of five Sunergos locations including the one on...

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