Employees at first ever Starbucks store seek to unionize amid fight for contract

Store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market joins growing unionization campaign across the coffee chain Workers at the historic first Starbucks store are seeking to unionize as the coffee retail giant and its union appear stalemated over their first contract. The first Starbucks store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and the store serves as a tourist site in Seattle. Continue reading...

Michael Sainato · Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 4:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

Employees at first ever Starbucks store seek to unionize amid fight for contract

Store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market joins growing unionization campaign across the coffee chain

Workers at the historic first Starbucks store are seeking to unionize as the coffee retail giant and its union appear stalemated over their first contract.

The first Starbucks store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and the store serves as a tourist site in Seattle.

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