Starbucks unionization effort grows in New York

Three Starbucks locations in upstate New York have announced their intent to vote on unionization, adding to three separate stores in the area that are already voting in a union election that may result in the first organized Starbucks locations in the country.

A group calling itself Starbucks Workers United is representing employees at the three stores in Buffalo, New York, and hopes to join an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. Voting is proceeding, and the results of the union drive could be known as soon as next Thursday. If successful, the stores would be the first in the United States to organize.