Four Blue Bottle Coffee stores in the Bay Area — three in Oakland and one in Berkeley — voted overwhelmingly to unionize this week, with workers citing rising costs, insufficient wages, and eroding workplace conditions as key motivators.
The National Labor Relations Board confirmed a 22-to-5 vote in favor of joining the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU), which organized six Boston-area stores in 2024. The Bay Area union now represents 37 baristas, joining roughly 80 unionized workers in Massachusetts. Workers are now part of the Blue Bottle Independent Union, the first West Coast contingent to formally organize under its banner. This victory signals growing worker rights campaigns in the specialty coffee sector nationwide.
Baristas highlighted struggles with the Bay Area’s high cost of living and wages starting around $18 an hour, far below local living wage estimates of over $30. Many work additional jobs to cover expenses, while part-time schedules limit access to benefits. Employees also criticized shift management practices that require covering multiple cafés, creating safety and service challenges during busy periods. Others criticized reduced training quality and corporate accountability issues since Nestlé acquired a majority stake in Blue Bottle in 2017. “We’ve seen the company prioritize profits over people,” said one worker, pointing to a lack of healthcare options despite rising inflation.
Baristas face $18 hourly wages in the Bay Area, far below $30 living wage, forcing many to work multiple jobs without benefits.
Founded in Oakland in 2002, Blue Bottle now operates over 70 U.S. cafés but faces backlash over working conditions. The Bay Area’s union-friendly history helped organizers build momentum, while Boston workers shared strategies like coordinating campaigns between East and West Coast stores.
Efforts to seek voluntary union recognition were denied, forcing a formal election. Organizers relied on national union resources and solidarity with global Nestlé workers, including at a Colombia coffee factory.
Blue Bottle’s management says it respects labor rights but hired Ogletree Deakins, a law firm known for opposing unions. Employees claim post-Nestlé cuts hurt workplace quality, with high manager turnover and strained customer service.
Some regulars have complained about declining coffee standards linked to cost-saving measures. The win mirrors union pushes at Starbucks, Peet’s, and smaller chains.
Since 2021, over 450 Starbucks locations and others like Boba Guys have unionized, reflecting a broader shift in food service labor organizing. For Blue Bottle workers, the vote marks a step toward rebalancing power between employees and a multinational corporation.
“We’re fighting to make this job sustainable,” said a Berkeley barista. “That starts with having a real say in our workplace.”
