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File #: 220176    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 2/24/2022 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 3/3/2022
Title: Expressing the Philadelphia City Council's firm support for workers at Starbucks in Philadelphia who are attempting to form a union, and urging Starbucks to accept card check neutrality.
Sponsors: Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Gym, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Gauthier
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 22017600, 2. Signature22017600
Title
Expressing the Philadelphia City Council's firm support for workers at Starbucks in Philadelphia who are attempting to form a union, and urging Starbucks to accept card check neutrality.

Body
WHEREAS, union representation has important benefits for workers, particularly for workers of color, including better pay, benefits, working conditions, and job security. The Union Members 2020 report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on January 22, 2021 found that in 2020 "[n]onunion workers had median weekly earnings that were 84 percent of earnings for workers who were union members"; and

WHEREAS, on December 6, 2021, Bloomberg reported that U.S. corporations are amassing record profits, explaining that "third-quarter after-tax corporate profits from current production amounted to 11% of gross domestic product," and "more profits in the three months ended in September than ever before. Not just in dollar terms-something that happens frequently-but as a share of the economy"; and

WHEREAS, on October 28, 2021, Starbucks issued a press release claiming, "Record Q4 and Full Year Fiscal 2021 Results," and "Consolidated net revenues of $29.1 billion increased 24% (21% on a 52-week basis) from the prior year"; and

WHEREAS, on September 2, 2021, Gallup reported 68% of adults in the U.S. support labor unions, the highest approval rate since 1965, and 77% of young adults (18-34 year olds) support unions; and

WHEREAS, in December 2021, workers employed at two Starbucks locations in Buffalo, NY, successfully voted to unionize into Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and are currently fighting for a first contract; and

WHEREAS, Starbucks executives are notorious for opposing the unionization of their workforce, employing tactics that workers have described as "union busting"; and

WHEREAS, On October 13, 2021, WIVB, the CBS affiliate in Buffalo, NY, reported that Starbucks "closed two of its Buffalo-are...

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