We have your back, Colectivo workers
Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council – Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman Scott Spiker and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
The City of Milwaukee has been known around the world for many important and great things, and one of those is the city’s historic importance in the formation of unions and workers’ rights. For it was at the Milwaukee Iron Co. rolling mill in Bay View where, in May 1886, a major labor disturbance occurred. Nearly 1,500 striking workers from around Milwaukee marched on the mill to demand an eight-hour work day. Members of the local militia, called to the mill by Governor Jeremiah Rusk, fired on the crowd, killing seven people.
We are supportive of the partnership of the employees of Colectivo Coffee Roasters with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 494. Employees of Colectivo are demanding the right to form a union in order to seek changes in working conditions and help make their voices heard. We are hopeful that Colectivo – one of the thousands of vibrant and important businesses in Milwaukee – will listen to the workers and not take retaliatory action against them.
Also, we thank our colleague Alderman Khalif Rainey for taking the lead and issuing his earlier statement in support of the Colectivo workers’ efforts.
Milwaukee supports businesses and the workers who make those businesses operate and succeed.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Union Effort at Colectivo
- NLRB Upholds Colectivo Union Election - Graham Kilmer - Mar 25th, 2022
- IBEW Local 494 Celebrates the Final Decision of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on the Colectivo Coffee Workers Successful Unionization Campaign Effort - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 - Mar 25th, 2022
- Union Blasts Colectivo For Stalling Negotiations - Graham Kilmer - Jan 6th, 2022
- Union Bid At Colectivo Still On Hold - Erik Gunn - Dec 13th, 2021
- County Board of Supervisors Congratulate Colectivo Workers on Successful Union Election - Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors - Aug 27th, 2021
- Supervisor Czarnezki Calls on Colectivo Ownership to Bargain with Employees in Good Faith - Sup. Joe Czarnezki - Aug 27th, 2021
- Congratulations Colectivo workers - Milwaukee Common Council - Aug 25th, 2021
- Colectivo Workers Win Union Election - Graham Kilmer - Aug 23rd, 2021
- Colectivo Union Election Is a Tie Vote - Graham Kilmer - Apr 6th, 2021
- Colectivo Union Election Finishes - Graham Kilmer - Mar 31st, 2021
Read more about Union Effort at Colectivo here
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I like Colectivo coffee. I am comfortable in many of their coffee shops. The staff in those places seem to me to be routinely warm and professional. I hope that the owners of Colectivo award their workers the right to form a union,