On July 10th Starbucks Workers United launched a 13 city cross-country bus tour workers’ latest escalation to demand Starbucks come to the bargaining table and settle a fair contract. To date, over 8,500 workers at more than 330 stores across 41 states have joined Starbucks Workers United.

The Starbucks Workers United 2023 Summer “The Union Is Calling” Bus Tour made its way to the Keystone State this past week with stops in Pittsburgh and Lancaster.

On Wednesday, July 19 Pittsburgh partners were joined by the 'StarBus' for two days of actions across the Steel City highlighting workers’ bargaining demands, including strikes at the Bloomfield and Eastside stores, demonstrations outside of Starbucks’ corporate partners, and a block party at Schenley Plaza with support from local elected officials and allied labor organizations.

Jacob Welsh, member of the Pittsburgh Starbucks Workers United Organizing Committee, said:

"The common sentiment isn’t just 'that’s the way fast food work has to be.' Many folks think that’s the way it is supposed to be. We have the opportunity to raise the bar for people in the fast-food and caf industry. Our first contract isn’t just a first for us. It will be the first of its kind.”

You can read more about "The Union is Calling" Bus Tour's stop in Pittsburgh from the Pittsburgh Union Press, here.

The Starbus' next stop was in Lancaster, where partners at the Lincoln Highway location joined the cross-country effort by leading a sip-in.

Lincoln Highway became first area store to go public with their intent to unionize on July 12th.

Check out The Union Is Calling website for live social media feeds from Starbucks Workers United, a live map of the bus’ whereabouts, and regular updates from the tour.