Blue Bottle Independent Union
@bbiunion.bsky.social
We are an independent, rank-and-file led union fighting for living wages, democratic control of the workplace, and protection from harassment!
bluebottleunion.org
linktr.ee/bluebottleunion
bluebottleunion.org
linktr.ee/bluebottleunion
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Curious about how to support the Blue Bottle Independent Union?? Here are a few ways (🧵)
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Starbucks' unionized workers are holding a massive strike vote.
If approved, more than 12,000 baristas in 45 states and the District of Columbia could strike.
@sbworkersunited.org says the strike would be open-ended, potentially continuing through the holidays.
If approved, more than 12,000 baristas in 45 states and the District of Columbia could strike.
@sbworkersunited.org says the strike would be open-ended, potentially continuing through the holidays.
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Starbucks' unionized workers are holding a massive strike vote.
If approved, more than 12,000 baristas in 45 states and the District of Columbia could strike.
@sbworkersunited.org says the strike would be open-ended, potentially continuing through the holidays.
If approved, more than 12,000 baristas in 45 states and the District of Columbia could strike.
@sbworkersunited.org says the strike would be open-ended, potentially continuing through the holidays.
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Tomorrow's #EconomicUpdate w/ @profwolff.bsky.social "#Union Organizing In Today's U.S." features @abolisheconomics.bsky.social & Alex Pyne from @bbiunion.bsky.social ! @democracyatwork.bsky.social #democracyatwork #labor #workersinquiry
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Economic Update: Union Organizing In Today's U.S.
[EU S15 E43] Union Organizing In Today's U.S. This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on the impending U.S. recession, JP Morgan admits failures of the neoliberal period as it turns nationalist, and the causes of mass shootings in the U.S. In the second half of today’s show, Professor Wolff interviews two young U.S. union organizers and their organizing method of "workers inquiry": Alex Pyne of the Blue Bottle Independent Union and Anastasia Wilson of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. We hope you enjoy this discussion and look forward to joining you next week for another all-new episode of Economic Update. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely solely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate You can also sign up as a paid subscriber to our Substack: https://democracyatwork.substack.com/ Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world that they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and the others we produce possible each week. We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info Professor Wolff's latest book, "Understanding Capitalism," is available now for purchase: https://linktr.ee/understandingcapitalism
tinyurl.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Tomorrow's #EconomicUpdate w/ @profwolff.bsky.social "#Union Organizing In Today's U.S." features @abolisheconomics.bsky.social & Alex Pyne from @bbiunion.bsky.social ! @democracyatwork.bsky.social #democracyatwork #labor #workersinquiry
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
@bbiunion.bsky.social baristas are fighting for a 1st contract with Blue Bottle, & they can't wait any longer for change. Right now, some baristas are having to sell blood plasma or live out of their cars to make ends meet. Help them win a living wage, sign today: bit.ly/nocontractno... #solidarity
October 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
@bbiunion.bsky.social baristas are fighting for a 1st contract with Blue Bottle, & they can't wait any longer for change. Right now, some baristas are having to sell blood plasma or live out of their cars to make ends meet. Help them win a living wage, sign today: bit.ly/nocontractno... #solidarity
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Anyway, I'm annoyed.
I've written previously about how important and skilled the job of the barista is. Coffee from a robot or a vending machine just can't compete, I don't care how technically proficient that coffee might be.
I've written previously about how important and skilled the job of the barista is. Coffee from a robot or a vending machine just can't compete, I don't care how technically proficient that coffee might be.
There Is No Such Thing as an 'Unskilled’ Coffee Job
Baristas and other hourly coffee workers are undervalued and underpaid—but they are far from unskilled, despite what the pernicious stereotypes suggest.
www.thepourover.coffee
October 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Anyway, I'm annoyed.
I've written previously about how important and skilled the job of the barista is. Coffee from a robot or a vending machine just can't compete, I don't care how technically proficient that coffee might be.
I've written previously about how important and skilled the job of the barista is. Coffee from a robot or a vending machine just can't compete, I don't care how technically proficient that coffee might be.
This month marks a year that our union has been negotiating for a first contract with Nestlé-owned Blue Bottle. They STILL have not given us a counter to any of our economic demands.
www.bluebottleunion.org/blog/october...
www.bluebottleunion.org/blog/october...
October 2025 bargaining update — Blue Bottle Independent Union
Hello BBIU baristas, Our bargaining team met with the Company on October 15-16, continuing our fight for a fair contract. The takeaways: Blue Bottle still has not given the Union any counter t...
www.bluebottleunion.org
October 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This month marks a year that our union has been negotiating for a first contract with Nestlé-owned Blue Bottle. They STILL have not given us a counter to any of our economic demands.
www.bluebottleunion.org/blog/october...
www.bluebottleunion.org/blog/october...
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Workers in the U.S. have important protections at most jobs whether or not they have citizenship, but bosses don’t always follow the law, and many exploit this climate of fear.
This 🧵 includes some of your most crucial labor rights and the myths bosses might try to feed you. 👇
This 🧵 includes some of your most crucial labor rights and the myths bosses might try to feed you. 👇
October 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Workers in the U.S. have important protections at most jobs whether or not they have citizenship, but bosses don’t always follow the law, and many exploit this climate of fear.
This 🧵 includes some of your most crucial labor rights and the myths bosses might try to feed you. 👇
This 🧵 includes some of your most crucial labor rights and the myths bosses might try to feed you. 👇
Thank you to @bostoniww for donating $1,500 to our union’s strike fund! As an independent union, we rely entirely on voluntary dues the solidarity of others. If you would like to follow in the generous footsteps of our friends in the IWW, please go to tinyurl.com/bbiu-strike to donate
October 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Thank you to @bostoniww for donating $1,500 to our union’s strike fund! As an independent union, we rely entirely on voluntary dues the solidarity of others. If you would like to follow in the generous footsteps of our friends in the IWW, please go to tinyurl.com/bbiu-strike to donate
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
My dear friend has been struck with brain cancer :(
Mahoma is without exaggeration one of the great rank & file organizers in the U.S. of the last decades.
His organizing at the NY deli he worked at and a resulting documentary brought him to public attention.
His work has only deepened since then.
Mahoma is without exaggeration one of the great rank & file organizers in the U.S. of the last decades.
His organizing at the NY deli he worked at and a resulting documentary brought him to public attention.
His work has only deepened since then.
Donate to Help Mahoma Defeat Cancer Now, organized by Mahoma Lopez
Help Mahoma Heal: Urgent Call
We urgently need your help. Our comrade Mahoma is in … Mahoma Lopez needs your support for Help Mahoma Defeat Cancer Now
gofund.me
October 17, 2025 at 8:29 PM
My dear friend has been struck with brain cancer :(
Mahoma is without exaggeration one of the great rank & file organizers in the U.S. of the last decades.
His organizing at the NY deli he worked at and a resulting documentary brought him to public attention.
His work has only deepened since then.
Mahoma is without exaggeration one of the great rank & file organizers in the U.S. of the last decades.
His organizing at the NY deli he worked at and a resulting documentary brought him to public attention.
His work has only deepened since then.
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
“We are monitoring this issue because we believe that a company’s ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships with workers is a hallmark of a company with a sustainable long-term strategy. As such, we are calling on the company to promptly reach a first contract with SBWU.”
NEW: In a new letter, Starbucks investors are expressing concern over the company's sustainability, "as evidenced by more than one hundred Unfair Labor Practice complaints filed this year, worker protests, and threats to strike."
Read their letter to the board:
sbworkersunited.org/starbucks-in...
Read their letter to the board:
sbworkersunited.org/starbucks-in...
Starbucks Investors Call on Company to Restart Negotiations with Union Baristas - Starbucks Workers United
“We write as long-term shareholders of Starbucks Corporation to express our concern regarding the current state of Starbucks’ labor relations and urge the company to restart negotiations and promptly ...
sbworkersunited.org
October 16, 2025 at 9:57 PM
“We are monitoring this issue because we believe that a company’s ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships with workers is a hallmark of a company with a sustainable long-term strategy. As such, we are calling on the company to promptly reach a first contract with SBWU.”
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
"At best, carbon offsets are supporting well-intentioned restoration and mitigation efforts that otherwise might not happen. At worst they are environmental indulgences, purchased to placate customers and neutralize any political will to make real changes to the industry."
October 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
"At best, carbon offsets are supporting well-intentioned restoration and mitigation efforts that otherwise might not happen. At worst they are environmental indulgences, purchased to placate customers and neutralize any political will to make real changes to the industry."
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
With a less functional NLRB, and even after the shutdown ends, it will continue to be understaffed and underfunded, workers need to organize using other strategies.
capitalandmain.com/dollar-store...
capitalandmain.com/dollar-store...
Dollar Store Workers Fight to Improve Jobs, Even Without a Union
With unionization dropping under Trump, experts say “premajority” campaigns can help workers score wins.
capitalandmain.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
With a less functional NLRB, and even after the shutdown ends, it will continue to be understaffed and underfunded, workers need to organize using other strategies.
capitalandmain.com/dollar-store...
capitalandmain.com/dollar-store...
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
"The error that many bargaining teams make is not reviewing the cost of living each of the previous five years. Because of extreme inflation during the last five years, minimum increases of as much as 10% may be needed to restore purchasing power." labornotes.org/2025/10/bigg...
The Biggest Bargaining Mistake Unions Are Making in 2025
When unions get ready for bargaining, we tend to look at the wage scale in our existing contract and think something like, “Let’s open with a proposal for a 5 percent raise every year, and maybe event...
labornotes.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"The error that many bargaining teams make is not reviewing the cost of living each of the previous five years. Because of extreme inflation during the last five years, minimum increases of as much as 10% may be needed to restore purchasing power." labornotes.org/2025/10/bigg...
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Boss skimming your tips? Wages not adding up right? Sounds like you need a union!
Solidarity Union Network is here to support you in your union building process. We have the methods, the blueprints, and the community to help point the way.
Check us out at www.sununion.org
Solidarity Union Network is here to support you in your union building process. We have the methods, the blueprints, and the community to help point the way.
Check us out at www.sununion.org
test - Solidarity Union Network
www.sununion.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Boss skimming your tips? Wages not adding up right? Sounds like you need a union!
Solidarity Union Network is here to support you in your union building process. We have the methods, the blueprints, and the community to help point the way.
Check us out at www.sununion.org
Solidarity Union Network is here to support you in your union building process. We have the methods, the blueprints, and the community to help point the way.
Check us out at www.sununion.org
One of our organizers needs your help
to avoid losing their home!
Alexa is a unionist in the East Bay and is at risk of losing their housing because Blue Bottle does not pay a livable wage. Please give what you can to help keep them housed!
gofund.me/4a386d635
to avoid losing their home!
Alexa is a unionist in the East Bay and is at risk of losing their housing because Blue Bottle does not pay a livable wage. Please give what you can to help keep them housed!
gofund.me/4a386d635
Donate to Keep Alexa & Rhea Safe and Housed, organized by Alexa Matthews
Hello to my community,
After 2 months of struggling to find housing, as… Alexa Matthews needs your support for Donate to Keep Alexa & Rhea Safe and Housed
gofund.me
October 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
One of our organizers needs your help
to avoid losing their home!
Alexa is a unionist in the East Bay and is at risk of losing their housing because Blue Bottle does not pay a livable wage. Please give what you can to help keep them housed!
gofund.me/4a386d635
to avoid losing their home!
Alexa is a unionist in the East Bay and is at risk of losing their housing because Blue Bottle does not pay a livable wage. Please give what you can to help keep them housed!
gofund.me/4a386d635
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
note that this happened after immense pressure from students and workers at MIT, including a press conference planned for later today
October 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
note that this happened after immense pressure from students and workers at MIT, including a press conference planned for later today
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
Will certainly be interesting to see how much Starbucks store closures overlap with unionized stores.
Starbucks will close stores and eliminate 900 jobs in a $1 billion restructuring effort
Starbucks to Close Stores, Cut Jobs in $1 Billion Restructuring
Starbucks Corp. said it will close stores and eliminate 900 jobs in a $1 billion restructuring effort as the company amps up a turnaround plan under new Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol.
bloom.bg
September 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Will certainly be interesting to see how much Starbucks store closures overlap with unionized stores.
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
☕️ At Coffee Watch, we’re adding our voice: we draw the line on labour exploitation and environmental destruction in the coffee industry. Every cup of coffee should uphold dignity, fair pay, and a healthy planet.
drawtheline.world #DrawTheLine
drawtheline.world #DrawTheLine
September 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM
☕️ At Coffee Watch, we’re adding our voice: we draw the line on labour exploitation and environmental destruction in the coffee industry. Every cup of coffee should uphold dignity, fair pay, and a healthy planet.
drawtheline.world #DrawTheLine
drawtheline.world #DrawTheLine
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
The Teamsters Local 25 union and waste management company Republic Services agreed to a contract, ending a monthslong worker strike and negotiation, according to the City of Malden.
Teamsters, Republic Services reach deal to end marathon trash strike - The Boston Globe
The deal is expected to restore trash and recycling services as soon as next week, according to Malden officials.
trib.al
September 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The Teamsters Local 25 union and waste management company Republic Services agreed to a contract, ending a monthslong worker strike and negotiation, according to the City of Malden.
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
NEW: 45+ major organizations sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol urging the company to finalize fair union contracts.
"We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary." 🔥🔥
"We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary." 🔥🔥
September 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
NEW: 45+ major organizations sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol urging the company to finalize fair union contracts.
"We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary." 🔥🔥
"We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary." 🔥🔥
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
You don't hate the rich nearly enough.
September 18, 2025 at 12:34 AM
You don't hate the rich nearly enough.
Solidarity to our friends in Boston SBWU!! Congrats on showing Brian Niccol that baristas won’t be dissuaded by union busting 🏴☕️
BREAKING: Workers in the Boston area just WON the 650th Starbucks union election!
Starbucks has only gotten worse under the leadership of CEO Brian Niccol. Over 12,000 union workers are using their collective voice to speak out against corporate greed and demand a fair union contract!
Starbucks has only gotten worse under the leadership of CEO Brian Niccol. Over 12,000 union workers are using their collective voice to speak out against corporate greed and demand a fair union contract!
September 18, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Solidarity to our friends in Boston SBWU!! Congrats on showing Brian Niccol that baristas won’t be dissuaded by union busting 🏴☕️
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
At least most coffee brands have the sense to couch their automation-boosting in terms of "it gives workers more time to focus on customer service" (which is also bullshit), but Octane Coffee is just mask-off about replacing workers with robots - including the customer service bit. Bodes ill!
September 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
At least most coffee brands have the sense to couch their automation-boosting in terms of "it gives workers more time to focus on customer service" (which is also bullshit), but Octane Coffee is just mask-off about replacing workers with robots - including the customer service bit. Bodes ill!
Reposted by Blue Bottle Independent Union
“Starbucks is on the ropes,” writes @sbworkersunited.org President Lynne Fox.
Baristas are prepared to strike if needed to win a fair contract.
Baristas are prepared to strike if needed to win a fair contract.
“Starbucks Is on the Ropes,” Says SBWU President Lynne Fox, Who Is Eyeing a Strike
"Investors should know that if Starbucks continues to stonewall and fight with union baristas, they aren’t afraid to do what it takes to win the fair contract that they’ve earned," Fox writes. "This i...
inthesetimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
“Starbucks is on the ropes,” writes @sbworkersunited.org President Lynne Fox.
Baristas are prepared to strike if needed to win a fair contract.
Baristas are prepared to strike if needed to win a fair contract.