Photo: Brian Munoz for St. Louis Public Radio
Kaldi’s coffee in St. Louis, Missouri, is the latest specialty coffee producer whose workers are seeking union representation. Comprising eight cafes and a roastery, workers from all locations will vote to form a union, citing low wages and impoverished working conditions.
As reported STLPRthe union push began in August when workers at the Skinker Boulevard location protested over inadequate working conditions, including “a lack of air conditioning, water drainage problems in the kitchen, and an employee allegedly being fired for reporting problems to management.” One employee stated that in the summer the temperature in the kitchen reached over 100 degrees. STLPR says Skinker Kaldi’s already has the overwhelming majority of employee support, which they hope will extend to all locations.
On Wednesday last week, pro-union workers held a rally at the Kaldi smoking room, where over 100 people turned out to show their support. Issues covered include higher pay, better health insurance and “being treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve,” says Kaldi employee Iana McAllister. They also allege racially discriminatory hiring practices by the company, citing a black employee who applied for a kitchen manager position only to have it filled by a white employee he had trained.
In a statement submitted Fox 2a Kaldi’s representative says they “respect our team members’ rights under federal law to discuss working conditions and make their own choices regarding union representation. Any decision to form a union is theirs and we will continue to follow the established legal process.” They continue: “All hourly team members will earn at least $17 an hour in Missouri, which is $2 more than the modern state minimum wage. As we do every year, we review wages and benefits to ensure they remain competitive and equitable. We also provide comprehensive benefits: health insurance, 401(k) with employer match starting at 20 hours per week, paid time off, access to emergency assistance through our Kaldi’s Cares Fund, and resources for mental health through our Employee Assistance Program. We continue to offer paid ill leave to all team members, a policy we maintained on our own initiative even after the repeal of Missouri’s paid ill leave law (HB 567).
No official voting date has been announced yet. This story is developing.
