Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union

Starbucks Korea workers have formed the first labor union at a domestic coffee franchise, joining the Korean Chemical, Textile & Food Workers' Union (KCTFU), an industrial union affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

According to the KCTFU on Sunday, employees of Starbucks Korea, the local unit of the global coffee chain, joined the union on Thursday and established a Starbucks Korea chapter.

Explaining the move, the union said the company had limited communication with employees through an employer-led consultation channel instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, while addressing workplace issues with temporary fixes rather than fundamental solutions.

It also accused the company of ignoring workers' demands while unilaterally rolling out increasingly burdensome promotions and operating policies.

The union cited chronic understaffing, an increasing number of promotions and events, rising workloads, wages insufficient to cover living expenses, work schedules that make it difficult to take on second jobs, and difficulties in applying for workers' compensation b ...