Mayor O'Connell attends gathering in support of Starbucks workers unionizing effort
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Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell attended a union event last week in support of Starbucks baristas organizing for better pay and benefits.
Why it matters: O'Connell is trying to thread the needle politically when it comes to Starbucks by supporting both the union organizing effort and the company's massive corporate investment in Nashville.
The latest: According to an event flyer, the reception O'Connell attended was held at the Nobles restaurant in Metro Center for Nashville-area Starbucks baristas pushing for a "fair contract."
- O'Connell has deep ties to Nashville labor groups, which are a powerful force in local elections.
- "Mayor O'Connell appreciated the opportunity to listen to Nashville Starbucks employees and hear directly about their experiences. He believes Nashville should always be a city that respects working people and their voices," a spokesperson for O'Connell's reelection campaign tells Axios.
The big picture: The union organizing comes at the same time Starbucks says it is bringing up to 2,000 corporate jobs to Nashville.
- The state of Tennessee already committed $30 million in incentives to Starbucks. The company's new corporate hub is supposed to anchor its Southeast expansion.
Catch up quick: The organization Starbucks Workers United has made progress in unionizing Nashville area coffee shops in recent years. Baristas have pushed for better pay, benefits and scheduling.
- Baristas at the Green Hills Starbucks voted to join the Workers United effort two years ago. The National Labor Relations Board formally approved that vote in 2024.
- Workers at the Goodlettsville Starbucks shop also voted to join Workers United, and the NLRB certified the union in June.
The other side: The company contends that it respects workers' right to organize, but argues it offers competitive pay and benefits.
- Starbucks has also contested the local organizing effort in filings with the NLRB.
Flashback: When Starbucks announced its corporate investment — worth a reported $100 million — O'Connell added his support.
- "Nashvillians want access to real economic opportunity and high-paying wages," he said in April. "Starbucks is answering that call by creating 2,000 jobs in Nashville over the next several years."
What we're watching: O'Connell said earlier this year he's considering a separate Metro incentive deal in addition to the state funding. He told The Tennessean his goal is to make sure that existing residents would get a portion of the new corporate jobs.
- Any proposed incentive figures to draw scrutiny from the mostly liberal Metro Council, which has been increasingly skeptical of such economic development plans.
- Metro Councilmember Sean Parker sent a letter, co-signed by many of his colleagues, to Starbucks executives earlier this year expressing concerns about the company's labor record.
Editor's note: This story was updated with a comment from the mayor's campaign.