A breakdown of several labor unions that will defend your rights and help you start your own union.
BY KATRINA YENTCH
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Cover photo courtesy of Labor Notes
From the editor: The topic of labor has been at the forefront of many recent conversations in specialty coffee, and we’re exploring it in a three-part series. Read the first installment here; in today’s article, we look at labor unions.
The history of labor unions dates back to the Industrial Revolution in Europe, when a surge of new workers needed better representation. Labor unions in America, however, grew during the 19th century at a time when many skilled artisans worked through a free-wage labor market. The first recorded strike in 1768 involved skilled tailors in New York who protested a wage deduction, and a group of shoemakers in Philadelphia created the first official trade union in 1794, the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers.
Labor unions were created because people wanted their voices to be heard; they wanted fair treatment and to be valued for their contributions. Nowadays, a steady decline of workers in trade unions might be evidenced by the strength of modern statewide regulations in the workplace. However, this does not mean that injustices are obsolete and employees are no longer treated unfairly. There are many labor unions still strong and active today, and it might be intimidating to begin a quest for the best one to represent your needs. We’ve highlighted some labor unions for the general workforce, as well as some specific to the service industry, to help you begin your search. While these organizations work actively with a national population (and have many local chapters), it is also always helpful to start out locally by reaching out to unions within your city’s government.
AFL-CIO: The groundbreaking AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Civil Liberties – Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the largest federation of unions in the United States. It serves as the umbrella organization to other statewide AFL-CIOs, representing 55 national and international labor unions of 12.5+ million workers. The group covers a wide range of services that include skills training, advancing legislation, and industry research. You can form your own union under the AFL-CIO, as well as sign a petition for one of the many causes on their website.
Workers United: The Workers United Union is rich with history; its founders were part of monumental 20th century labor movements like the ILG (International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union) and the ACTWU (the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America). Today it is composed of Canadian and American members, and is an affiliate of the SEIU (Service Employees International Union). The group’s ethos is to defend anyone who is working class by fighting for health and safety rights, providing education and training, and helping others organize their own unions. In 2018, Workers United helped the baristas of Gimme! Coffee in New York to start their own union, and they also offer a retirement program.
UNITE HERE: This group is another Canada/U.S. joint association, with roughly 300,000 members working in a variety of industries including hotels, airports, transportation, textile, food service, and more. UNITE HERE also fights against acts of injustice and works for better wages and benefits, while providing several different retirement programs for members and partnering with students to confront issues in campus food systems.
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United: While the ROC is not officially a union, the nonprofit organization operates very much like one. The group was founded in New York City as a response to the individuals displaced after September 11, 2001, who worked in the restaurant industry. Workers, employers, and consumers can all be a part of this organization, and by doing so promote the several initiatives that ROC works on to empower restaurant employees via the ROC United Model.
