Sarasota Starbucks workers seek to join national union

A group of eight Starbucks employees in one Sarasota location are seeking to unionize. 

The employees, at the Fruitville Road and Honore Avenue location, have joined the nationwide movement to unionize with Starbucks Workers United by filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board. According to a press release, thousands of baristas are behind the national movement, which SWU officials say was "organized to promote better working conditions."

In a letter to company CEO Laxman Narasimhan, employees at the Fruitville-Honore location, just west of Interstate 75, in particular highlighted what they say are ineffective internal policies including working conditions, benefits, wage decreases and sustainability.