Colectivo Coffee Workers Sign the Largest Collective-Bargaining Agreement in U.S. Coffee Retail Sector

Last week, workers at Colectivo Coffee voted to ratify a contract that amounts to the largest collective-bargaining agreement in the U.S. coffee retail sector.

The agreement, which covers 600 employees, emerged from a long struggle between workers – represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 494 – and the management of the Milwaukee-based company, which has 20 locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.  

“This contract ratification is the culmination of the efforts of hundreds of workers over the past three years,” said Hillary Laskonis, an original member of the organizing committee, in a news release. “We could not have made it to this point without their bravery, the tireless work of the folks at the IBEW, as well as the vocal support of thousands of customers and members of the community. I am beside myself with gratitude for all of them this week. I look forward to what the future holds for those of us behind the counter and throughout Colectivo Coffee.”

Over the last three years, Colectivo’s management fought the unionization effort at every turn. Soon after workers at the coffee chain went public with their organizing campaign, the company’s three owners issued a letter to workers opposing the union campaign and retained a firm that specializes in “union avoidance” to manage a counter-offensive that included the firing of multiple organizers, captive-audience meetings, and spurious challenges to the results of a 2021 National Labor Relations Board election that resulted in a victory for the union. The Board ultimately rejected that challenge.

Management’s tactics – which are routinely deployed by employers to stop unionization its tracks – were no match for organizers. Zacary Heren, a Colectivo employee in the Chicago area, said the contract ratification is “proof that hard work and solidarity in the workplace pays off.” Among other things, Colectivo workers encouraged “reverse boycotts”, asking customers to order coffee at one of the chain’s 20 stores while delivering the message “IBEW Strong.”

Community members were also active in supporting the union drive. Following Colectivo management’s challenge to the NLRB election result, organizers with the Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America, the Shorewood Young Democratic Socialists of America, and the Wisconsin Alliance of Retired Americans coordinated a public campaign in support of the union, asking patrons at stores throughout the Milwaukee area to let workers, management, and elected officials know about their support for the union and their opposition to management’s stall tactics.  

The two-year contract, which went into effect on June 7, includes raises for workers in Colectivo’s cafes, bakeries, and warehouses, as well as in administrative positions. Among other things, the contract also covers new paid holidays, adjustments to scheduling policies, and establishes new policies related to layoffs and employee grievances.  

“We could not be prouder of the workers of the Colectivo Collective,” said Dean Warsh and John Rizzo, business managers for IBEW Local 4949 and 1220 (Chicago) respectively, “who for three years now have been putting in the work to stand up and make sure their voices are heard in the workplace.”