labor law is repealed, it automatically triggers state protection.”
For example, in 2025, Rhode Island passed a trigger law to protect the collective bargaining rights of student workers at private universities, expanding the definition of“ employee” to include“ teaching assistants, research assistants, fellows, residential assistants and proctors”“ when not already protected” by the NLRB.
In the absence of a balanced legal framework, some workers have DIY’ ed it. Jasmine Leli, a barista in Buffalo who sits on SBWU’ s negotiating team, is undaunted by the glacial pace of contract talks. Already, workers have won credit card tipping and expanded parental leave benefits.
“ The company was never going to give us those things out of the kindness of their heart. We fought for them,” she says. And after five years, SBWU has alleged, Starbucks has racked up hundreds of labor law violations, paid millions in penalties and SBWU is still fighting for consistent hours, benefits and pay raises that don’ t force workers“ to choose between putting gas in your car and eating,” Leli adds.“ That is something that baristas face every single day, while we have a CEO who is getting paid thousands of dollars an hour … while cutting the transportation benefit for workers.”
A Starbucks spokesman says the company“ has continued to bargain in good faith, putting forward comprehensive proposals that build on our competitive pay and industry-leading benefits, which average more than $ 30 an hour for eligible hourly partners. Throughout negotiations, we have remained focused on reaching agreements that support partners and strengthen the Starbucks experience.”
“ After over 700 elections, you would think they’ d realize that we’ re not slowing down,” says Leli.“ I don’ t know what’ s in their head, but I know what’ s in mine, and that is winning this contract.”
Minchin and Schaller agree that worker sentiment is not going away— despite the structural barriers and an active antiunion industry of lawyers and consultants who help employers discourage organizing and break up unions. A Gallup poll in 2025 found that nearly 70 percent of Americans approve of unions.
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