Gold Coast espresso store La Colombe baristas are voting to unionise | Jobs Reply

Baristas at La Colombe’s Gold Coast cafe voted 12-0 to unionize Monday, becoming a member of a gradual drip of espresso store unions which have joined Chicago over the previous

yr. The Gold Coast baristas are the primary employees at La Colombe espresso store in Chicago to unionize; Their vote comes after employees at one of many DC suburbs voted to

unionize in December, in response to labor board data. Baristas at 4 of the 5 La Colombe cafes in Chicago have filed for union elections with the United Meals and Industrial Staff

Worldwide Native 881, which additionally represents grocery employees at Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s grocery shops. Aspen Schucker, a barista on the 4 E. Elm St. cafe, mentioned

employees there are unionized as a result of they need increased wages and a better say in hiring, scheduling and different day-to-day operations of the espresso store.

“Regardless of who we’re, the place we come from, the place we stay and what we do, all of us should make sufficient cash to stay right here,” mentioned Schucker. “And that

does not occur.” Schucker, 20, mentioned baristas at La Colombe in Chicago make between $16 and $18 an hour, plus suggestions. Schucker mentioned the corporate has raised costs

over the previous yr, however is taking house much less cash per paycheck due to the drop in suggestions, regardless of the 50-cent-an-hour increase. Different baristas on the

retailer didn’t get raises, he mentioned. In an announcement on Monday, La Colombe mentioned he respects the Gold Coast baristas’ choice to be represented by the UFCW.

“Whereas the outcomes of the vote nonetheless must be confirmed by the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, we strongly consider in a people-first office and are dedicated to

creating each member of the La Colombe group really feel valued, revered and supported,” the corporate mentioned. mentioned Buyers at La Colombe chat inside a espresso store on

the Gold Coast on Jan. 23, 2023. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) On Tuesday, baristas on the La Colombe location at 955 W. Randolph St. within the West Loop will vote whether or

not or to not unionize, in response to a union consultant. The election of two further places, at 858 Armitage Ave. and 5158 N. Clark St. is scheduled to happen subsequent week.

Baristas on the firm’s Wicker Park location haven’t but moved to unionize. The spokesperson of the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, Kayla Blado, confirmed the counting of

votes on Monday. Every social gathering has 5 enterprise days to file complaints in regards to the election, he mentioned. If no objection is filed, La Colombe should begin