NORTHAMPTON — Northampton and Westfield Starbucks baristas filed petitions for union election last Thursday, with intent to join the growing number of locations that have become part of Starbucks Workers United.

This widespread movement of Starbucks baristas is dedicating its efforts to securing workplace protections such as living wages and equity, comprising 11,000 baristas at more than 540 locations in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

More than 140 stores have voted to join the union since February 2024, and in December 2024, the largest Starbucks strike took place over the company’s labor practices — closing nearly 300 stores nationally with 5,000 baristas participating.

At the King Street Starbucks in Northampton, concerns have continued over wages failing to keep up with high costs of living, as well as other changes to company policies that have altered the nature of baristas’ jobs.

“The new CEO has come in and has made a lot of changes and promises,” said Jenna Murphy, a shift manager at the King Street Starbucks, after a morning shift last Friday. Murphy was referring to the company’s new CEO Brian Niccol, who assumed the position in September and was formerly CEO of Chipotle.

Notably, Murphy said that the company recently put out its yearly raises, which were not up to par with current rates of inflation and costs of living.

“It was only a 2% raise for the base raise this year, which is below the rate of inflation,” said Murphy.

Living in a city like Northampton, where rent prices can be a heavy lift each month, Murphy said she and her colleagues found themselves concerned about being able to continue affording the area.

In addition, Murphy said the company has been rolling out a “Back to Starbucks” initiative designed to make each branch feel like an inviting “local coffee shop.” This, in itself, Murphy said sounds like a good idea — but the policies the company has been implementing are “in direct contradiction to that.”

In particular, Murphy said the company now has policies prohibiting stores from allowing non-customers from using bathrooms, getting free water cups or staying in the stores. Murphy said she and many of her colleagues are uncomfortable having to “police” who is in the store and what they have access to.

“There are a lot of people in Northampton who rely on having a place to come warm up,” she said, pointing out the particularly cold temperatures the city has experienced lately.

Murphy said the King Street store had been in talks about unionization for about a year. As their planning was beginning to take shape recently, they discovered “out of pure luck” that the Westfield Starbucks on East Main Street was at the same stage of organizing, and decided to partner with them.

“We do have more say in the company when we come together,” Murphy said of the collaboration.

The workers are looking to hold a union election in early March, which will determine whether they ultimately join Starbucks Workers United.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.