Compass Coffee Union Election Stalled Over Hiring Spree Dispute

Baristas at a well-known Washington coffee chain remain undecided about forming a union after a series of elections Tuesday, as labor organizers and management continue to spar over voter eligibility amid an influx of new workers.

Elections at five Compass Coffee stores didn’t produce an official winner, with the union disputing enough ballots to change the outcome at each location, according to National Labor Relations Board data released Wednesday. About 100 ballots total were challenged.

The labor group, Compass Coffee United, has accused the company of hiring more than 100 new workers to dilute union support. One store in downtown Washington tripled in size since it announced a union effort, from seven to 22 employees, according to the union. The four other locations more than doubled in size.

Several workers at four stores voted for the union, while the fifth had all 16 ballots challenged, according to NLRB data.

The disputed ballots will be reviewed by a board regional director, who will choose to hold a hearing or simply order them to be opened.

Compass executives didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The effort comes on the tails of a union organizing effort at Starbucks Corp., where workers at more than 400 stores across the nation have organized since late 2021. The company’s stringent opposition led workers to file at least 700 unfair labor practice charges against the company.

None of the stores have reached a first union contract with Starbucks, though the company signaled earlier this year it would adopt a less confrontational approach.