LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Baristas at Sunergos Coffee plan to go on strike “at any moment” this holiday season over allegations of unfair labor practices and lack of good faith bargaining by the company.
In January, Sunergos workers voted to unionize, joining the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The looming strike comes after months of efforts by workers to make progress on a contract, according to the union.
According to a new release, the union filed another unfair labor practice charge against the Louisville-based coffee chain last week, claiming Sunergos is “violating their guaranteed right to collectively negotiate a contract for their wages, benefits and other job standards.”
The union said the company has also rejected the inclusion of a “just cause” provision in any contract agreement. The provision protects unionized workers from being unjustly disciplined or fired.
Community support
During a news conference on Monday, the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council and Kentucky AFL-CIO said they will financially support striking workers regardless of when the strike occurs.
“Louisville is a union town and Sunergos is just part of a larger national labor movement,” Clove Harrington, a Sunergos worker and Bargaining Committee Member, said. “Workers everywhere are standing up for what we need and deserve – we’re all in this together.”
Todd Dunn, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 862, says the local UAW chapter plans to support Sunergos baristas “until they win everything they ask for.”
“When UAW workers were on strike, our entire community was not only behind us; they walked with us," Dunn said. "We will walk with Sunergos workers until they get the respect they deserve at the bargaining table."
At Monday's news conference, customers joined baristas in a show of solidarity, declaring their intent to boycott the coffee chain during the strike.
Sunergos has five locations with more than 60 employees across the Metro, making it the second largest coffee chain in Louisville.
Earlier this year, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the company violated a federal labor law regarding employee’s tips and ordered Sunergos to repay baristas nearly $80,000.
WHAS11 has reached out to Sunergos Coffee for comment on the union's allegations and strike announcement. They have yet to respond. This story will be updated once they do.
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