Why Are Baristas Leading The Labor Movement?

How did coffee shop workers become the vanguard of the labor movement? We spoke to the workers who organized the first unionized coffeeshop in Massachusetts (and the second, third, and fourth). This is the story behind the Boston coffeeshop union revolution.

When Pavement Coffeehouse unionized with UNITE HERE, it sparked a wave of organizing across the Boston area. First Darwin's. Then Diesel, Block and Forge. Then 1369 and Phinista. Pavement just ratified their first union contract and won pay raises, paid time off, holiday pay on Allston Christmas, and other protections.
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