LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several baristas in Louisville are walking off the job on Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Union baristas at Sunergos Coffee are going on strike during the holiday weekend. Union leaders say they are protesting the company's intimidation tactics toward union members and their refusal to bargain a contract agreement in "good faith."
Baristas will participate in a "strike-line rally" on Black Friday at 8:30 a.m. outside the St. Matthews Sunergos location on Willis Avenue.
According to officials, many customers, UAW workers at Ford Motor Company, and other union workers have pledged support for the baristas and will be participating in the rally.
"We are fighting for jobs that pay us enough to pay our own bills. Louisville isn't going to grow and thrive if the people who make this city's booming service economy work keep getting left behind. We’re sick and tired of harassment and intimidation because we’re standing up for each other. We are ready to negotiate a fair agreement that allows us to share in the success we've worked hard to create for Sunergos," Rebekah Jarboe, Sunergos barista and member of the union, said.
Early this week, the union announced that baristas at Sunergos Coffee planned to go on strike “at any moment” this holiday season.
Last Monday, union leaders say workers filed another unfair labor practice charge against Sunergos, citing the company's refusal to negotiate a contract for better wages, benefits and other job standards.
Sunergos has five locations with more than 60 employees across the Metro, making it the second largest coffee chain in Louisville.
In January 2023, Sunergos workers voted to form a union, joining a national movement of baristas at Starbucks, Heine Brothers Coffee and other coffee stores.
According to a news release from union members, wages for Sunergos workers start at $8.25 an hour with few benefits.
In July 2023, Sunergos and Starbucks workers in Louisville went on strike to protest the companies' refusal to negotiate contract agreements.
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.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.