© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Carbondale Starbucks employees looking to unionize

Employees at Starbucks on East Main in Carbondale want Union representation, and have contacted the National Labor Relations Board.
Megan Brown
/
Megan Brown
Employees at the Carbondale Starbucks. Photograph taken Friday May 27, 2022.

Workers at the Carbondale Starbucks on East Main street have notified the National Labor Relations Board they would like to be represented by a union. Megan Brown, has worked at the store for nearly 11 months and says she and her co-workers were inspired to do so after workers at a Buffalo Starbucks Unionized earlier this year. Among the reasons, Brown says, is higher pay.

"I think that's the reason that most people start organizing a Union. And I think that's what set Buffalo in motion, I think that's what set us in motion. But along with that, we also get the opportunity to, if other things come up, just working conditions in general we have the opportunity to bring those things to the forefront."

Union organizer, Mari Orrego says an election to actually form a union, takes place generally two to three months after the request is made. WSIU sent an email to Starbucks headquarters, but has yet to hear back.

Kevin Boucher is a retired broadcaster. Most recently he was a news reporter for WSIU radio. He grew up watching nature programs including Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom and the many Jacques Cousteau specials which sparked his passion with nature. Kevin also is an avid hiker and loves seeing and writing stories about the many fascinating plants and animals we share our planet with. Kevin is married and has lived in Murphysboro since 1976, after living in many places, including Japan, as the son of a Navy officer.


As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.