LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Baristas at another Louisville coffee chain are unionizing and the company’s CEO is voluntarily recognizing their union.
On Tuesday, Quills Coffee CEO Nathan Quillo agreed to recognize baristas’ efforts to join the 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
“I started Quills Coffee to make space for everyone, where ‘coffee can build community,” Quillo said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the baristas and their positive approach to organizing. I appreciate their spirit of collaboration and look forward to building a new coffee community focused on a quality experience for customers and employees.”
Quills is the third local coffee shop chain in Kentucky to unionize in recent years, however it’s the first to be voluntarily recognized, according to the union.
“Many of us have spent years at Quills and we genuinely love what we do,” Hope Roman, a barista at Quills, said. “After seeing the positive impact that our fellow Louisville barista unions have made, we believe that forming an independent organization – a union – will help us all thrive. It’s not just about fair wages and respect; it’s about creating a better future for everyone at Quills.”
Quills Coffee employs roughly 50 baristas across seven locations throughout Louisville.
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