Updated December 9, 2021 at 3:28 PM ET
Starbucks workers have voted to form their first U.S. union.
Workers from one store in Buffalo, N.Y., voted to unionize, in a watershed moment for Starbucks, which operates 8,953 stores in the United States.
Three Buffalo-area stores held separate union elections. Baristas and shift supervisors from one store voted to unionize 19-8, while workers from the second store rejected unionization 12-8.
The third store failed to reach a verdict and faces a legal battle. There, 15 votes were cast for unionization and 9 against, while 7 votes were challenged. Most of the challenges came from the union, which argued that some workers who voted weren't regular employees at the location.
The election marks one of the highest-profile union wins for U.S. restaurant workers, which are among the least unionized in the country.
Starbucks workers who voted to unionize will join Workers United, affiliated with the massive Service Employees International Union.
Starbucks has promoted its reputation as a progressive employer with generous benefits, arguing that a union is not necessary.
In fact, Starbucks previously fought off organizing attempts in New York City and Philadelphia. But last year, workers at a Starbucks store in Canada unionized. And now, three additional locations in the Buffalo area and one in Arizona are pursuing a union.
"I think a unionized Starbucks restaurant will demonstrate to workers ... that it's not easy, but they can do it,"...
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