Ryan Coffel, a Barista Organizer with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1220 for Colectivo Coffee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the successful efforts to unionize and form the largest coffee union at the time in the U.S.
Coffel explained how workers eventually chose the IBEW for representation because the Union agreed to organize all 400 workers across 19 chain locations, as well as the roasting facility and the bakery. He detailed union busting tactics employed by the company and how workers fought to be recognized in August 2021.
Today, Collectivo workers are represented by IBEW Local 1220 and IBEW Local 494.
He also talked about the struggle to negotiate the Union’s first contract and how the company has refused to sit down at the bargaining table.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.