LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Workers of a local coffee chain have reached an agreement to boost their wages and improve their work environment, among other enhancements.
What You Need To Know
- Sunergos Coffee baristas have won their first contract agreement after months of negotiating
- The agreement ends a seven-day strike, which began Nov. 24
- Union baristas will vote on approval Dec. 5
- Improvements include raising the starting pay to $10 hourly and removing wage caps
Union baristas at Sunergos Coffee, a five-store Louisville chain, have won their first contract agreement after a seven-day strike. Improvements include raising the starting pay to $10 hourly, previously $8.25; a removal of wage caps, which previously lowered wages for experienced baristas; and “just cause” protection, ensuring employees can’t be fired on an inconsistent or unfair basis. It will also include additional paid days off for sick time, bereavement and new child leave.
Sunergos union members will review the tentative settlement and vote on an agreement Dec. 5. This follows a monthlong negotiation process. In January, Sunergos employees voted to form a union with 32BJ SEIU, the country’s largest property service workers’ union. Following slow progress in contract talks, workers went on strike for a day in June and later started a seven-day strike Nov. 24.
The agreement comes when coffee industry workers across the country have pushed for higher standards. Employees from Sunergos, other regional chains and over 370 Starbucks stores have organized a movement to form unions and gain greater say over wages, benefits and employment policies in discussions with employers.