The number of U.S. workers seeking union representation has grown notably over the last few months, according to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
“During the first six months of Fiscal Year 2022 (Oct. 1–March 31), union representation petitions filed at the NLRB have increased 57% up to 1,174 from 748 during the first half of FY2021,” the independent federal agency stated in a press release. “At the same time, unfair labor practices also rose 14% from 7,255 to 8,254.”
Corporate giants Starbucks (SBUX) and Amazon (AMZN) are at the forefront recently in terms of the growing momentum for unionization.
Starbucks partners (as employees are known) at more than 180 locations have filed a petition to unionize under Starbucks Workers United — an organization affiliated with Service Employees International Union — and nine stores have successfully voted to unionize. The coffee giant, which is working to improve workplace conditions without widespread unionization, also faces over 80 unfair labor practice cases.
Amazon warehouse workers marked their first union victory in the company’s 28-year history on April 1, signaling a sense of optimism and enthusiasm around union organizing, especially among younger workers.
