Starbucks Begins To Unionize In Las Vegas

Starbucks in Nevada begins to unionize in Las Vegas - will the rest of Nevada follow?

A Las Vegas Starbucks has become the first in Nevada to win the vote to unionize with Starbucks Workers United.

This week, the National Labor Relations Board counted up the ballots for the Rainbow and Oakey Starbucks' union election. In a vote of 11 to seven, the partners won the vote, and will become the first Starbucks store in Nevada to win their union vote.

“It feels beyond amazing to finally be a part of something like this,” Larissa Elkins, a barista at the Rainbow and Oakey store said. “Partners are finally standing up for themselves and speaking out, and having a fair and even part in the workplace with this union, and I can’t wait for other stores to join us!”

The Las Vegas store is one of over 270 Starbucks stores in the U.S. to successfully unionize.

Why unionize now? The labor movement in the United States has been heating up over the past few years with major companies, like Amazon, Google, Trader Joe’s, Apple, and more seeing unionization drives.

Experts say that the COVID-19 pandemic was a big factor in the recent union boom.

During the pandemic so many people found themselves in lockdown and unable to work for weeks or months. Others were forced to work as people got sick and even died around them Workers felt like their employers and society didn't value them as people. During the pandemic, going to a Starbucks drive-thru was one of our only feelings of normalcy.

Both sides were forced to rethink their relationship with work and their employers. They began talking about their poor treatment from customers, unfair management practices, and other labor issues.

At the same time, companies began to post record profits, especially as the pandemic receded. Some workers felt that they had dealt with the worst parts of the pandemic and put themselves at risk, but with no reward.

All of these factors combined made employees question what unionizing could do for them? Even people outside of the industries that are experiencing union booms have grown more supportive of unions. Currently, 71% of Americans approve of unions compared to 48% in 2010.

A few major successes, like unionizations at Amazon and Starbucks’ Buffalo store, have set off a chain reaction. As more workers see others succeed at forming a union, they are more confident in forming one themselves.

Employees in every line of work just want to be treated fairly - it's that simple.

Unionizing a big move here in Nevada, for one of your regular coffee stops, but I don't doubt that many more Starbucks will soon follow.

-Carla Rea

Who gets the best Christmas bonuses in the U.S.? Well - it's not Nevada!

I read a story on The Mike and Carla Morning Show about the CEO of a national chain called Ruppert Landscape.  He surprised his employees with a very generous year-end bonus.  They recently partnered with an investment firm, which brought in a ton of money.  So he shared the wealth:

1,200 workers got checks for between $7,000 and $200,000 based on how long they've been with the company!!

We work in radio, so - NO is the answer. But people usually feel pretty generous around the holidays, however in Nevada, 86.0% of our residents did NOT receive a bonus at all last year. 

No - they're not to be expected, but if you've ever gotten one, they sure are nice. They make you feel like you're worth just a little more to your boss, and your company.

A study by the team at Deputy asked more than 2,600 people across industries and regions in the US, what types of bonuses they received? They found the average holiday bonus in every state.

Here's how it breaks down for those who DO receive a cash bonus from their employer in Nevada:

So, not terrible - if you were on of the lucky ones.

Here is how some things broke down in the way of bonuses and "giving" during the holidays. You can see the full report here.

-Carla Rea

Georgia and Mississippi tie for first place out of all 50 states throughout the U.S., with 36% of Americans saying their companies make holiday donations. Aren't they precious? Actually - they are!

Three in four Americans say that if a cash bonus is a no-go, they would like to close the office between Christmas and New Year’s or receive extra PTO for working during the holidays. 

This was surprising: The most popular perk throughout the U.S. is the company paid meal, or that holiday dinner or party. Residents in 31 states say they prefer the holiday dinner, and/or party over any other perk!

(Photo: J. A. Hampton/Stringer Via Getty Images)

Finance and insurance are very lucrative in the bonus department: 15% of people in those industries say they received $9000 or more last year! 

(Photo: Spencer Platt Via Getty Images)

Information technology industry workers say they’ve received outrageous staff holiday perks: MacBooks, iPads, paid getaway vacations.

(hoto: Spencer Platt via Getty Images)