Workers at Starbucks Korea have formed a union, establishing the Starbucks branch of the Korean Food Workers' Union, marking the first union in the domestic franchise coffee industry.
According to the Korean Food Workers' Union on July 19, Starbucks Korea employees declared the establishment of the Starbucks branch on July 16 and announced its official launch. The branch aims to include all workers at stores and the headquarters.
In their declaration, the branch stated, "Despite our previous demands for improvements through truck protests and wreath protests, the company limited communication to a 'sympathy meeting' and focused on suppressing immediate issues rather than providing direct solutions." They further explained that the union was formed in response to the company's unilateral implementation of increasingly burdensome events and operational policies, disregarding workers' demands.
The union identified key issues such as staffing shortages during peak hours, increased workload due to frequent promotions and events, low wage levels, challenging schedules that make it difficult to take on additional jobs, and difficulties in applying for industrial accident claims related to musculoskeletal disorders. They expressed their commitment to improving workplace issues as a unified voice.
Starbucks Korea workers previously engaged in collective actions in 2021 and 2024, advocating for reduced work intensity, increased staffing, and improved treatment through anonymous community platforms.
Currently, Starbucks Korea directly employs all staff at its nationwide stores, with approximately 23,000 employees.
Starbucks Korea stated, "We will communicate sincerely with the union in accordance with relevant laws."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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