Movement brewing among Peet’s coffee employees as Davis store is first to merge
Peet’s Coffee workers at the West Covell Boulevard location in Davis rallied with supporters in front of the first Peet’s in the country to become part of a union. The crowd chanted, “No Justice. No Peet’s.” “I love my job and the community and I didn’t want to give it up,” said employee Rivad Tal. Tal and several of the 15 employees who formed the union with the Services Employees International Union 1021 spoke at the enthusiastic meeting. They explained why they fight for fair wages, different schedules and company transparency. “There was a moment when I realized how greedy the company was ̵[ads1]1; the audacity to give me 10 cents when they were making $983 million in 2022 was shocking,” Tal said. Alyx Land, a shift supervisor, said inflation and the pandemic have made it difficult to live with the current wages Peets pays employees. The Baristas have the support of the community and some elected leaders, who also spoke at the rally. “We are going to send a strong message to management and businesses that we are going to support the members of Peet’s united 110 percent,” said Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas. Union leaders, such as SEIU Vice President Akbar Bibb, said the young workers will need a coffee boost to stay awake and continue their fight. He said it’s just the beginning. “The loss, and just saying, ‘enough is enough’ and standing up to the opposition and wanting better working conditions,” said Akbar Bibb. In a statement to KCRA 3 News, Peet’s, which started in Berkley in 1966, said: “Peet’s has worked in good faith with all parties involved and had hoped for a different outcome, we respect the right of our Davis employees to choose. Initially, two of our Davis locations petitioned to become unionized. Last week, the union withdrew its petition. to represent the downtown Davis coffee shop. Our North Davis location chose a different path. As we pursue the statutory next steps with the union at North Davis, we will continue to work for and with our employees throughout the company. That’s the Peet’s way.” Peet’s employees said they got advice and help from recently unionized Starbucks employees. Peet’s employees earn anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 a year, depending on the job.
Peet’s Coffee workers at the West Covell Boulevard location in Davis rallied with supporters in front of the first Peet’s in the country to become part of a union.
The crowd chanted, “No Justice. No Peet’s.”
“I love my job and the community and I didn’t want to give it up,” said employee Rivad Tal.
Tal and several of the 15 employees who formed the union with the Services Employees International Union 1021 spoke at the enthusiastic meeting. They explained why they fight for fair wages, different schedules and company transparency.
“There was a moment when I realized how greedy the company was – the audacity to give me 10 cents when they were making $983 million in 2022 was shocking,” Tal said.
Alyx Land, a shift manager, said inflation and the pandemic have made it difficult to live with the current wages Peet’s pays employees.
The baristas have the support of the community and some elected leaders, who also spoke at the meeting.
“We are going to send a strong message to management and businesses that we are going to support the members of Peet’s united 110 percent,” said Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas.
Union leaders, such as SEIU Vice President Akbar Bibb, said the young workers will need a coffee boost to stay awake and continue their fight. He said it’s just the beginning.
“The loss, and just saying, ‘enough is enough’ and standing up to the opposition and wanting better working conditions,” said Akbar Bibb.
In a statement to KCRA 3 News, Peet’s, which started in Berkley in 1966, said:
“Peet’s has worked in good faith with all parties involved and would have hoped for a different outcome, we respect the right of our Davis employees to choose. Initially, two of our Davis locations petitioned to become unionized. Last week, they withdrew the union’s petition to represent the downtown Davis coffee shop. Our North Davis location chose a different path. As we pursue the statutory next steps with the union at North Davis, we will continue to work for and with our employees across the company. It’s Peets manner.”
Peet’s employees said they got advice and help from recently unionized Starbucks employees. Peet’s employees earn anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 a year, depending on the job.
