Baristas at one other Starbucks in Colorado Springs have voted to unionize, upping the whole variety of organized shops to 6 out of a number of hundred statewide.
The outcomes, introduced by the Nationwide Labor Relations Board Thursday, had been simply the most recent growth in a statewide labor organizing marketing campaign among the many espresso big’s workers. Final month, baristas at three different Denver and Springs-area areas received their elections.
They be a part of plenty of shops nationwide in search of entry to the Employees United chapter of the huge Service Workers Worldwide Union. Workers at a whole lot of areas in at the least 25 states have filed to carry union elections since a Buffalo, New York retailer turned the primary to make the transfer final December.
Employees on the Centennial Ave. retailer within the Springs, which received their election Thursday, say they hope to safe extra common hours via collective bargaining. Many have seen their weekly hours drop in current months, mentioned Mick Magdaleno, a barista and organizer.
Advertisement
“I used to be sitting at like round 35 hours every week and I went down to love the low twenties,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t make sense and we would like extra management again as a result of persons are quitting.”
Fired union baristas say firm focused them
The outcomes — 12-4 — come because the union is elevating alarms over a spate of firings at recently-organized Denver shops. Employees United filed complaints with the NLRB this month about 4 terminations it claimed the corporate made in retaliation for staff voting in favor of unionization.
Starbucks, in official paperwork, has mentioned the firings had been made for well being or efficiency violations. In a press release to CPR, the corporate known as allegations that firings had been made in response to union assist “categorically false.”
“We’ve absolutely honored the method laid out by the NLRB and inspired our companions to train their proper to vote within the election to have their voices heard,” the corporate mentioned.
The corporate can be in search of to overturn union election outcomes at one retailer on East Colfax Ave. That grievance remains to be pending overview from the NLRB.
Advertisement
“These are all bogus techniques to delay bargaining,” mentioned Malachi Dray, an organizer with the Service Workers Worldwide Union. “Employees usually are not deterred.”
Barista Monique McGeorge labored for Starbucks for a 12 months and half till she was let go final month.
The explanation? Dropping a cake pop, choosing it up off the counter and handing it to a buyer, in keeping with her termination letter and official assertion to managers. Following the drop, a buyer complained to administration.
“It was a silly mistake,” she advised CPR. “I’d have taken a write up. However that’s not a fireable offense, in my opinion.”
It was her first time logging a efficiency strike for a mistake on the job, she mentioned.
Advertisement
The cake pop accident occurred on Might 6, as McGeorge and her coworkers on the Holly St. and Leetsdale Dr. store had been voting on whether or not to unionize. Election outcomes got here in on Might 19, and she or he was let go on the twenty fourth, in keeping with her termination letter.
Starbucks didn’t reply questions in regards to the occasions main as much as McGeorge’s firing.
She just lately acquired one other job at a close-by division retailer, however misses the camaraderie and suppleness she had at her job on the espresso store.
“I do consider that for some purpose they’re making an attempt to filter Starbucks and union assist,” McGeorge mentioned. “They’re reducing hours. They’re doing every kind of loopy stuff.”
The union is planning a rally in assist of fired staff this Saturday on the state capitol constructing, in keeping with Employees United.
Advertisement
Enterprise hours shortened at Holly and Leetsdale store, different Denver shops
Employees say the firings, and departure of some workers who can’t get sufficient hours, are exacerbating labor shortages at union shops. The corporate is closing a unionized retailer in Ithaca, New York because of “staffing and attendance” points, NPR reported.
This week, the situation at Holly and Leetsdale closed for a day and introduced it might completely scale back its enterprise hours to six:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in keeping with an indication posted on its door. The signal didn’t give a purpose for the adjustments.
Matt Bloom/CPR InformationAn word to clients is proven outdoors of the Holly St. and Leetsdale Dr. Starbucks in Denver on June 7, 2022. The shop is reducing its enterprise hours, which staff say is because of a labor scarcity introduced on by current firings.
“Our apologies!,” learn an indication posted on the entrance door and drive via. Close by, one other giant signal with “NOW HIRING” in daring, black letters hung within the entrance window.
Retailer hour adjustments are popping up at different union shops in Denver, together with the sixteenth Avenue Mall retailer and East Colfax location, in keeping with Employees United.
Firings haven’t been a difficulty in Colorado Springs shops but, mentioned Bradley Kurtz, a barista and organizer on the Academy Blvd. location within the Springs. The shop’s current union election was declared a tie, and the NLRB is reviewing the depend.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, turnover remains to be excessive in Kurtz’ retailer as a result of pro-union staff are seeing their weekly hours dwindle, he mentioned.
“Lots of people have simply began in search of different work,” Kurtz mentioned. “Individuals attempt to cling on so long as they will, however rather a lot aren’t capable of.”
Magdaleno, the barista on the Centennial retailer, mentioned conflicts between the union and firm in Denver had been regarding.
“However we’re nonetheless excited,” he mentioned. “We wish to attain out to a variety of different shops within the space about organizing to assist preserve the ball rolling.”
The Denver Broncos had three players elected to the 2025 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Thursday.
In addition to those players, eight other Broncos players were named alternates for the all-star game.
Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate), long snapper Mitch Fraboni (first), kicker Wil Lutz (third), tackle Garett Bolles (third), fullback Mike Burton (fourth), defensive lineman Zach Allen (fourth), quarterback Bo Nix (fourth) and safety Brandon Jones (fifth) were named Pro Bowl alternates. They will be candidates to join the Pro Bowl roster if other players drop out.
1. Quinn Meinerz delivers big pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis and his 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fifth among NFL guards.
Advertisement
2. Mitchell Fraboni was named a PFF second-team All-Pro last season and he had another impressive campaign in 2024. He totaled five tackles on punt coverage after snapping to Dixon.
3. Wil Lutz converted 30 field goals this season, which ranked sixth in the AFC and seventh overall. His 90.9% field goal rate ranked fifth among qualified kickers in the AFC and he was one of nine full-time kickers to go 100% on extra point attempts this fall. Lutz was a perfect 11-of-11 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards, the best mark at that range this season.
4. Garett Bolles was credited with allowing two sacks this season and his 88.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fifth in the NFL among offensive tackles.
5. Michael Burton is the No. 1-ranked fullback on PFF this season with an overall grade of 66.8 and a pass-blocking grade of 75.8. Burton is used primarily as a blocker, but he has also picked up six first downs and scored two touchdowns with six carries and 10 receptions this season.
6. Zach Allen has recorded 73 pressures, 8.5 sacks (tied for second among AFC interior defensive linemen), 39 QB hits, 34 hurries, 15 tackles behind the line, one safety and one pass breakup this season.
Advertisement
7. Bo Nix‘s 30 total touchdowns rank fourth in the AFC this season, only trailing Joe Burrow (44), Lamar Jackson (43) and Josh Allen (41). His long of 93 yards ranks third in the NFL and his 24 sacks are eighth-fewest among the league’s 32 quarterbacks.
8. Brandon Jones has totaled three interceptions this fall, tied for fourth-most in the AFC. His 114 tackles are a team-high in Denver. Jones also broke up 10 passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in 2024.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 last season.
If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.
Thursday
Dog Lob – Phish Tribute — 6-9 p.m., New Terrain Brewing Co., 16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden; newterrainbrewing.com.
Advertisement
La Paloma: Tribute to Nina Simone — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.
Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Advertisement
Emily Kooi — With Genevieve Libien & Finn O’Sullivan, 8 p.m., Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: globehall.com.
Bicycle Day — With Null & Void & Jumpin at Shadows, 8 p.m., Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: lost-lake.com.
Split the Deck Vinyl Spin — Hosted by DJ Random Temple, 8 p.m., Goosetown Tavern, 3242 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; goosetowntavern.com.
“Dawoud Bey: Street Portraits” — Through May 11, Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, go online for prices: denverartmuseum.org.
Thursday-Saturday
Advertisement
Shane Torres — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Comedy Works South at the Landmark, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, $15-$28. Tickets: comedyworks.com.
Sean Patton — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square, 1226 15th St., Denver, $17-$25. Tickets: comedyworks.com.
DENVER — Denver7 is investigating your concerns after we were contacted by families who said they’re dealing with ongoing mail theft in the city’s Central Park neighborhood.
Some residents say the issue has been happening for months: thieves breaking into mailboxes and stealing credit cards, checks, and other important documents.
Neighbors said it didn’t take long to realize something was wrong when checking their mail.
“It’s communal. So we’re like, ‘Hey, did you get your mail? Has it been missing?’ And so that’s how we started noticing,” said Trevor, a Central Park resident who preferred not to share his last name.
Advertisement
Another woman we talked to, Sam, who did not want to share her full name, said she started noticing lighter mail and missing items.
She said the biggest revelation came when her credit card company contacted her about suspicious activity.
“A new credit card I had ordered hadn’t got here, and it was stolen on Christmas Eve, and somebody promptly went on a shopping spree,” she said, “So that’s when I started going back and looking through all my informed mail.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service told Denver7 that it immediately replaces the damaged mailboxes. They provided this statement to Denver7 on Wednesday:
“The Postal Service apologizes to customers in the Central Park area for any inconvenience caused as a result of criminal activity… The U.S. Postal Service as well as the impacted customers are all victims in these acts of theft and vandalism. Postal Service maintenance personnel repair or replace damaged boxes and locks as quickly as possible when impacted by these criminal acts.”
However, residents like Sam said the damaged mailboxes are not being repaired or replaced in a timely manner. She’s asking for more to be done.
Advertisement
I just want to make sure to bring awareness to this. With tax season coming up, the potential for identity theft with this situation is extremely high,” she said.
In addition to the statement, USPS provided the following advice for customers, to protect their mail and their letter carriers.
Don’t let incoming or outgoing mail sit in your mailbox. You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day.
Deposit outgoing mail through a number of secure manners including inside your local Post Office or at your place of business or by handing it to a letter carrier.
Sign up for Informed Delivery and get daily digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon.
Become involved and engaged in your neighborhood via neighborhood watches and local social media groups to spread awareness and share information.
Keep an eye out for your letter carrier. If you see something that looks suspicious, or you see someone following your carrier, call 911.
Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what’s right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24982514/Quest_3_dock.jpg "Meta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks")
