Peet’s Coffee workers at the West Covell Boulevard location in Davis rallied along with supporters in front of the first Peet’s in the country to become part of a union. The crowd chanted, “No Justice. No Peet’s.””I love my job, and the community and I did not want to give it up,” said employee Rivad Tal.Tal and several of the 15 employees who formed the union with Services Employees International Union 1021 spoke at the enthusiastic rally. They explained why they are fighting for fair wages, different schedules and corporate transparency. “It was a moment when I realized how greedy the company was — the audacity to give me 10 cents when they made $983 million in 2022 was shocking,” Tal said. Alyx Land, a shift leader, said that inflation and the pandemic have made it difficult to live with the current wages Peet’s is paying employees.The baristas have the support of the community and some elected leaders, who also spoke at the rally. “We are going to send a strong message to management and corporate that we are going to back the members of Peet’s united 110 percent,” said Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas. Union leaders, like SEIU Vice President Akbar Bibb, said the young workers will need their coffee boost to stay alert and keep up the fight. He said it’s just the beginning. “The bravery, and just to say, ‘enough is enough’ and stand your ground against the opposition and want better working conditions,” said Akbar Bibb.In a statement to KCRA 3 News, Peet’s, which began in Berkley in 1966, said:”Peet’s has worked in good faith with all parties involved and had hoped for another outcome, we respect the right of our Davis employees to choose. Initially, two of our locations in Davis petitioned to unionize. Last week, the union withdrew its petition to represent the downtown Davis coffee bar. Our North Davis location chose another path. As we follow the legally required next steps with the union at North Davis, we will continue to work for and with our employees companywide. That is the Peet’s way.”The Peet’s employees said they received advice and help from Starbucks employees who recently unionized. Peet’s employees earn anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 a year, depending on the job.
Peet’s Coffee workers at the West Covell Boulevard location in Davis rallied along with supporters in front of the first Peet’s in the country to become part of a union.
The crowd chanted, “No Justice. No Peet’s.”
“I love my job, and the community and I did not want to give it up,” said employee Rivad Tal.
Tal and several of the 15 employees who formed the union with Services Employees International Union 1021 spoke at the enthusiastic rally. They explained why they are fighting for fair wages, different schedules and corporate transparency.
“It was a moment when I realized how greedy the company was — the audacity to give me 10 cents when they made $983 million in 2022 was shocking,” Tal said.
Alyx Land, a shift leader, said that inflation and the pandemic have made it difficult to live with the current wages Peet’s is paying employees.
The baristas have the support of the community and some elected leaders, who also spoke at the rally.
“We are going to send a strong message to management and corporate that we are going to back the members of Peet’s united 110 percent,” said Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas.
Union leaders, like SEIU Vice President Akbar Bibb, said the young workers will need their coffee boost to stay alert and keep up the fight. He said it’s just the beginning.
“The bravery, and just to say, ‘enough is enough’ and stand your ground against the opposition and want better working conditions,” said Akbar Bibb.
In a statement to KCRA 3 News, Peet’s, which began in Berkley in 1966, said:
“Peet’s has worked in good faith with all parties involved and had hoped for another outcome, we respect the right of our Davis employees to choose. Initially, two of our locations in Davis petitioned to unionize. Last week, the union withdrew its petition to represent the downtown Davis coffee bar. Our North Davis location chose another path. As we follow the legally required next steps with the union at North Davis, we will continue to work for and with our employees companywide. That is the Peet’s way.”
The Peet’s employees said they received advice and help from Starbucks employees who recently unionized. Peet’s employees earn anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 a year, depending on the job.
