Compass Coffee Workers Organizing for Union Rights: Stories from the Frontlines
Compass Coffee Workers Fight Back Against Union-Busting Tactics
Workers at the Compass Coffee chain in the Washington, D.C., area have taken a stand against their employer’s illegal union-busting tactics. The workers, including Rebekah Edwards, Joseph Babin, and Cameron Call, have been organizing a union campaign to improve their working conditions and advocate for their rights.
Rebekah, a barista trainer at the Rosslyn location, joined the campaign in November 2023 because she believes unions are essential for advocating for the working class. Joseph, a supervisor at the 1703/849 locations, was inspired to join the campaign after witnessing the abusive work environment at Compass Coffee. Cameron, a supervisor at the K St. and I St. locations, joined the organizing committee to fight against exploitative practices in the food service industry.
The workers have faced various union-busting tactics from their employer, including mass hiring of new employees to dilute the union’s strength, intimidation, and scheduling retaliation. The company has also engaged in deceptive practices, such as creating fake Twitter accounts to confuse supporters.
Despite these challenges, the workers have received overwhelming support from the community and other labor unions in D.C. They have also taken legal action through the NLRB to address the retaliatory practices of their employer.
The Compass Coffee workers are not alone in their fight for better working conditions. They stand in solidarity with other cafe workers organizing for their rights, such as those at Starbucks and La Colombe. The workers offer advice to other baristas in the DMV area and around the country on how to engage in labor organizing, emphasizing the importance of building trust with coworkers, knowing their rights, and building relationships with customers and community organizations.
The Compass Coffee workers are determined to see their union campaign through to the end, despite the challenges they face. They believe that by standing together and advocating for their rights, they can create a better future for all workers in the food service industry.
