LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four months after negotiations began, Heine Brothers’ Coffee and its employees have agreed on a new contract.

On Monday, March 13, employees announced on social media that a tentative agreement had been reached. Employees were given the details and a full vote was taken.

A joint statement between Heine Brothers’ Coffee and the NCFO 32BJ SEIU announced details of the four-year contract. The pay and benefits plan includes:

• A 10% increase for starting baristas in the first year, with an average increase of 4.3% over the next three years. The Company’s tip guarantee of $4/hour means no employee will make less than $15/hour.

• Employees will receive an additional week of paid time off (PTO) for a total of three weeks.

• Employees will receive an additional paid holiday, for a total of nine holidays.

The four-year agreement also provides a process for dispute resolution through the Labor-Management Committee and a grievance process.

Alexis Hardesty, Organizing & Political Director, NCFO-SEIU said, “We’re excited to see the Louisville community continue to embrace Heine Brothers as a progressive and locally owned Louisville institution that is now also an even better place to work. We hope this agreement sets an example for the great things that can happen when management and unions see themselves as partners, not adversaries.”

Organizing with NCFO 32BJ SEIU, the Heine Brothers’ Coffee Union becomes the second largest barista union in the U.S.

Heine Bros. workers announced plans to unionize in April 2022, citing the need for better wages and schedules. There are 17 Heine Brothers’ locations in Louisville and southern Indiana.