The Conversation for Wednesday, August 17

The Starbucks union drive

I’ll say this right up front: I am pro-union. I am a third-generation union member. My grandfather helped organize furniture factory workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My mother helped launch one of the country’s first unions for university staff.

I have been active in the Newspaper Guild as well as the lecturers’ union at the University of Michigan. So, you bet I’m a supporter of Starbucks Workers United, the union representing a growing number of partners (as Starbucks calls its employees).