In Response to Union-Busting, Workers at a Chicago Starbucks Went on Strike
Starbucks has carried out a vicious national union-busting campaign, but Starbucks workers have responded with strikes across the country. We spoke to a Chicago barista about why she and her coworkers have walked off the job.
Starbucks workers from the Clark and Ridge store in Chicago, with supporters, during a one-day strike on August 30, 2022. (Love+Struggle Photos / Twitter)
The Starbucks at the intersection of Clark and Ridge on Chicago’s far north side was one of the city’s first Starbucks shops to unionize. Since then, workers there have continued to be some of the most militant in the city.
After winning union recognition and striking over understaffing in early July, the workers have continued to organize and face pushback from management. After one of their leaders, Emily Alaimo, was given a final notice last week, the workers went out on strike again. We spoke to Alaimo about the strike, the union, and the role of performance and pleasure in union organizing.
Sarah Hurd
How did you end up working at Starbucks?
Emily Alaimo
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