Perks in Organizing

Starbucks workers in Vancouver, British Columbia, became the first employees in the 1,300-store coffee chain to unionize when they ratified a contract this summer between the Canadian Auto Workers and the coffee giant. Once known for its progressive employment practices, the coffee store chain has recently been criticized for its focus on exponential growth at the expense of its employees. While jobs in auto production continue to decline, the Canadian Auto Workers union has built a strong reputation for its advocacy on behalf of workers in the service sector.