On July 8, baristas, trainers, and shift supervisors at Better Buzz Coffee’s Mira Mesa location in San Diego joined UFCW Local 135. UFCW Local 135 also represents Better Buzz Coffee workers at the flagship Hillcrest shop in San Diego, which joined our union family in May.
The workers, who organized under the name Better Buzz United, joined our union because they were concerned about insufficient wages, benefits, scheduling, and workplace safety issues. The union election was overseen by officials from the National Labor Relations Board.
UFCW Local 135 is dedicated to supporting all Better Buzz Coffee workers in their unionization efforts. The organizing wins at Mira Mesa and Hillcrest are part of a broader movement to improve conditions for all company employees as Better Buzz Coffee continues its rapid expansion across Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.
“It’s a shame that a company boasting about its rapid expansion and plans to further grow continues to neglect the workers who are the lifeblood of their business,” said UFCW Local 135 Organizing Director Maribel Mckinze. “The employees at Better Buzz Mira Mesa have shown the strength workers have when they unite to fight for what they have rightfully earned. While the company has its plans for expansion, so does the union.”
“Winning the election to join UFCW Local 135 feels amazing! I’m super excited to see changes at the store, to see working conditions elevated, and I’m even more excited to see everyone happier at work,” said JoJo Concepción, who is a shift supervisor at the Better Buzz Coffee shop in Mira Mesa. “It’s empowering to know that together we can make positive changes to our work lives. I’m excited for what the future holds for us at Better Buzz Mira Mesa.”