Today, the Starbucks workers in Hopewell Township made history as New Jersey’s first location to vote to be represented by Workers United.

The workers were ecstatic at the results of the NLRB election, and voted unanimously margin in favor of organizing with 15 votes. The atmosphere at the location was electric following the vote count, which was celebrated with cheers, high-fives, and group selfies to memorialize the successful outcome.

When workers vote for the union, they vote for themselves. These baristas wanted to unionize to improve their standards of living, ensure safe working conditions, and be treated with respect by their employer. Even though Starbucks likes to portray itself as a progressive company, the workers had to withstand a vicious anti-union campaign. They endured captive audience meetings, anti-union lies and propaganda, and having their hours cut to deprive them of healthcare benefits. In fact, Workers United has filed nearly 80 Unfair Labor Practice charges against Starbucks nationally. But today, we are celebrating the baristas who beat a billionaire, after his company attempted to intimidate them into voting against their own interests.

These baristas became union activists. They understood not only the importance of fighting to belong to a union for themselves, but that the eyes of the entire labor movement were watching. We are incredibly proud to have supported our newest brothers and sisters throughout this process and to share in their victory. We look forward to more successful elections as Starbucks workers throughout the Garden State look to Hopewell as an example of what they can achieve.

Lynne Fox, International President of Workers United said, “We are incredibly proud of the brave and strong Starbucks workers who voted to join Workers United. Our collective success in Hopewell today reflects the power that working people have to demand positive changes from their employers.”

Starbucks employee Melissa Boltas said, “this is a huge victory for all of us and workers everywhere. It’s so wonderful to see the impact our movement has already had on our lives and the impact it will continue to have.”

Nationally, over two hundred Starbucks retail locations have filed paperwork with the NLRB to begin the union election process since the organizing campaign began in August 2021. Twenty-six Starbucks locations have voted for unionization in New York, Tennessee, Washington, Virginia, and New Jersey.

Starbucks locations in Hamilton and Summit New Jersey are in the midst of ongoing elections.