Unions

Business

Why is it so hard to unionize Amazon?

It’s been a year since the first-ever successful union election at an Amazon facility, a milestone many believed would herald a labor movement at the Seattle-based tech giant. But rather than igniting a blaze of unionization, the labor movement at Amazon may be sputtering out.

Education

Union-led residency program aims to combat WA teacher shortage

Starting next school year, up to 20 aspiring special education teachers will get hands-on, paid classroom experience in the Federal Way, Walla Walla, and Mukilteo school districts through the Washington Education Association’s inaugural teacher residency program.

Business

As CEO steps down, Starbucks employees strike

On Monday, as Howard Schultz stepped down as interim CEO of Starbucks, he sent a memo to leadership at Starbucks. It reads, in part: “As I step away, I leave you all as the stewards, in service of all of our partners. They are the heart and soul of our company — the living embodiment of human connection.” Today, “partners” — aka store baristas — at 100 Starbucks cafes are on strike.

Arts & Life

SIFF employees file petition to unionize

A group of year-round employees at the Seattle International Film Festival recently filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form a union.

Week in Review: Same-sex marriage, unionization, and aquatic life

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times Isabella Breda, Crosscut’s Mai Hoang, and South Seattle Emerald’s Marcus Green.

Business

'Short staffing equals venti wait times': Seattle Starbucks employees join nationwide strike

Workers at more than 100 Starbucks stores in 25 states are picketing today in what's being called the largest labor action since employees started their unionizing campaign.

Business

Bargaining attempts still slow-going for Starbucks and its union baristas

‘Company officials got upset that union representatives were trying to broadcast the session on Zoom and were upset that they were trying to record the session. So, they all ended pretty quickly.’