On April 3, workers at five Blue Bottle locations in Boston, Massachusetts, USA announced the formation of the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU) and have demanded union recognition as well as collective bargaining with the company.
- Blue Bottle is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé with over 100 locations across the United States, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea; Nestlé became the majority owner of the brand in 2017 and acquired full ownership in 2021
- As a result of the IUF’s Nespressure campaign, since 2013, Nestle and the IUF have focused on issues including “the health and safety of employees, adequate working conditions, appropriate forms of employment and the respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining” according to a negotiated Joint Operating Principles agreement
- The organizing at Blue Bottle follows on from the victory by IUF affiliate Workers United/SEIU at Starbucks with the recent announcement of an agreement to create a foundational framework for union recognition and collective bargaining for Starbucks workers in the US
“We are unionizing because Blue Bottle does not pay us enough to meet our basic needs, does not allow us any input into cafe operations, and shows continuous disdain for us as workers. As baristas, we are the face of the company and produce Blue Bottle’s value, and yet we struggle to make ends meet despite working full time. For these reasons, we intend to fight for a living wage, democratic control of the workplace, and comprehensive protection from Harassment.” –BBIU statement
