- Veronica Roseborough
- Apr 5, 2024 (DailyCal.org)
Four months ago, eight employees at Gilman St. Philz Coffee were sent home for wearing pro-Palestine pins. Now, they’re the first Philz to unionize.
On March 19, all 16 employees voted yes to forming Philz Coffee United, an independent union, according to Christine-Angelica Belardo, a former Gilman St. barista and team lead who is now helping the union with public relations and serves on their organizing committee. Belardo added the union will be negotiating for better pay and benefits, adequate staffing, consistent scheduling and a clearer outline of disciplinary policies.
After being sent home in December without back pay and reminded that their contract prevents them from speaking with reporters, a barista, who asked for anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the employees saw two paths forward.
“In that moment there was a decision that we had … we can put some efforts towards pursuing legal action … because a lot of money was stolen from us as a result of being at home for rules that were never written down, or we can take that energy and organize,” the barista said.
While not every employee wore pins, the barista recalled a “huge level” of respect between coworkers which was a “foundational building block” for the solidarity they would build as a union. By the time they filed with the National Labor Relations Board in February, 86% of employees submitted pledge cards.
Between then and the official March vote, Belgardo and the barista alleged that Philz Coffee corporate engaged in union-busting techniques.
Both said they received visits from multiple corporate members, who tried to work barista shifts, and were called in for one-on-one chats. They were also emailed a courtesy notice March 13 indicating that the future of the location remained uncertain due to ongoing negotiations over the lease, which ends this May.
The Daily Californian retained a copy of this courtesy notice but did not receive a response to a request for comment on these allegations as of press time.
Once it was March, support for unionization increased to 100%, exceeding the majority vote needed to certify the union.
“That was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life,” the barista said. “It shows that all of these things that they’ve been doing, not only didn’t work, but worked against them … In fact, they convinced more people to vote yes.”
Now, the barista said the union will be both negotiating a new contract and helping other Philz Coffee locations to follow their lead.
Mahesh Sadarangani, CEO of Philz Coffee, confirmed they will work with Philz Coffee United moving forward.
“We are dedicated to continuing an open dialogue between Philz Coffee and Philz Coffee United in order to foster a workplace atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness that is in line with our Philz Mission & Core Values,” Sadarangani said in an email.
