MISSOULA - We have an update on a story we brought you about a locally-owned coffee shop’s mission to unionize.
While that goal is still alive and well, changes to their election process will be a minor setback for the service workers.
Employees at Black Coffee Roasting Company were set to vote on their unionization Friday at work.
But due to COVID-19 restrictions through the National Relations Labor Board, they’ve learned that their election must be held via mail-in ballots.
The push for a union came last month when employees bargained for higher wages.
Management agreed to bump their pay from $10 an hour to $13. They also agreed to offer employees paid time off.
For employees, the success of their collective bargaining led to a bigger conversation about the possibility of forming an independent union.
All they need is a majority vote, then negotiations will begin with Black Coffee management on how to move forward.
Employees tell MTN News they want a seat at the table when discussing wages, sick time, and other decisions that will impact their lives.
We’ll update you once we have results from that mail-in election.
