TAMPA — The Tampa Bay area has dozens of Starbucks stores, and one of those locations has now been unionized.

This is part of a larger movement taking place across the nation, with several locations where employees are hoping to improve job security, working conditions and wages.

“My coworkers and I believe that a democratically run workplace is the best path forward,” said Blake Smallen.

Smallen has been a barista at Starbucks on North Dale Mabry Highway and Linebaugh Avenue for four years. It’s the first location in Tampa to unionize, and the workers are now bargaining for better work conditions and wages.

“The cost of living is astronomical,” said Smallen. “Rent is extremely, extremely high and the pay that we have doesn't satisfy it, especially not with the hours that we get.”

Smallen says they were inspired by the success of Starbucks Workers United, which has helped other locations across the country unionize.

In February, Starbucks and Workers United agreed to begin discussions on a "foundational framework designed to achieve collective bargaining agreements, including a fair process for organizing, and the resolution of some outstanding litigation."

“There have been risks associated with this, especially over the past few years. There was a harsh retaliation campaign,” Smallen added.

In a statement to Spectrum News, Starbucks spokesperson Kathleen Allen said, "At Starbucks, we believe that our direct relationship as partners is core to the experiences we create in our stores, and we respect our partners' rights to have a choice on the topic of unions. We are committed to delivering on our promise to offer a bridge to a better future to all Starbucks partners."

Employees at a Bradenton Starbucks came close but voted against unionizing last year. Tampa now joins Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Miami and Orlando, which became the first unionized location in Central Florida in 2022. Smallen says this victory means more since unions have historically struggled to build support in southern states.

“In the South, there is typically a stronger anti-union sentiment. I think together we can overcome and unite people,” said Smallen.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in Southern states is half of the national average. Data shows that only five percent of Southern workers belong to a union.

Smallen expresses pride in being part of the new shift, even if they don’t benefit personally.

“If I leave this job, I want to leave it better than I found it,” he said.

There are more than 17,000 Starbucks coffee shops in the United States.

Starbucks shared the following updates with Spectrum News :

• A recent independent, third-party assessment found that “Starbucks is effectively encouraging participation in union elections regardless of viewpoints on unionization, which is consistent with partners’ right to choose freely to have a labor union represent them, or not, regarding their terms and conditions of employment” and that “voting participation in single-store representation elections has steadily increased from less than 60% to approximately 80% today.
• To support adherence to company policies and compliance with the complex patchwork of employment and labor law, Starbucks has continued to invest in a robust management training program and a dedicated labor relations team to ensure adherence to the principles of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.