Will Your Starbucks Cost More Money?

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

A group of Starbucks employees in Logan Square have joined a union, the first group outside of New York, despite the coffee company’s refusal to recognize organized labor.

The workers at 2759 W. Logan Blvd. announced Tuesday night that they were affiliating with the Industrial Workers of the World Starbucks Workers Union in an effort to increase hourly pay, have a guaranteed number of work hours per week and to reinstate employees who they claim were fired for union organizing activity. Union representatives declined to disclose membership numbers.

“We want a better place to work and a positive workplace,” said Joe Tessone, a Starbucks employee and co-organizer of the Logan Square store. “We want a living wage.”

A Starbucks representative was not available for comment.

Union members are demanding a pay increase to $10 an hour for entry-level workers from the current $7.50 an hour in addition to guaranteed minimum hours and healthcare benefits.

Demanding!