The Unionized Starbucks on 23rd

Lawrence is rife with coffee shops. On 23rd Street alone, there is one (or more!) on almost every block. But it’s much harder to find shops with workers who have unionized.
Thankfully, the Starbucks at the corner of 23rd and Ousdahl did unionize in March of 2022—and your local DSA chapter helped!
On March 19th an Olathe Starbucks called a picket in response to union busting actions by their upper management. Community members, Starbucks workers, and DSA members from Lawrence, Salina, and Kansas City picketed for five hours. That same union would eventually win its union vote and the courts later reversed any union busting actions that Starbucks management had taken.
While at the Olathe Picket we were informed of the Lawrence locations efforts to unionize. We offered our help and participated in drumming community support for the location. DSA members handed out stickers to passersby, explaining why they were unionizing. Our chapter stood by to support the Starbucks workers and when it came down to a vote, the 23rd and Ousdahl Starbucks workers voted 19-3 in favor of unionizing.
In the months since unionizing, this Starbucks has remained a bustling location, with a long drive-thru line during most hours. But service is faster than the line might indicate, and walk-in service is speedy as well. Indeed, if the drive-thru line looks daunting, you might find yourself surprised by how quickly you get a mug of caffeine in your hands if you brave the elements to go inside to place your order. Despite the regular rush on the location the workers have kept and upbeat and inviting atmosphere.

So this fall, if you’re in the mood for a pink drink, a pumpkin-spice latte, or simply a warm cup of coffee, be sure to head on over to the Starbucks at 23rd and Ousdahl to support the workers of the United Workers Union!