Seven Stars Workers Authorize Strike

On December 30th, after 3 months of negotiations, members of Seven Stars Bakery have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike after disappointing economic proposals by the company.

The employees have been in bargaining with the company since September, totalling 10 sessions, with the goal of securing a new contract. Over the course of these last few months many tentative agreements have been made, however, the company continues to offer inadequate wage proposals. The wage proposal by the company would have new hires starting at only $12/hr over the next three years. Additionally, the company’s proposal would keep currently employed baristas at only minimum wage over the next two years, with a .51 raise above minimum wage in the third year. The company’s proposal would also eliminate wage rate protections for returning employees enrolled in school.

This development comes after employees spent the week leading into Christmas outside their stores, handing out flyers to customers and collecting signatures, calling on the company to offer a living wage. Over the course of this action, the workers gathered over 800 signatures from supportive customers. 

Additional bargaining sessions are scheduled in January. The employees of Seven Stars Bakery will be continuing to engage with the public and their communities to help bring attention to these matters and are asking for continued support from customers by calling the Seven Stars office at 401-521-2200 EXT. 8 or emailing their CEO at JJ@sevenstarsbakery.com and telling them to commit to paying their workers a living wage. 

Stephanie Walker, a Shop Steward from the Cranston location, said, “As a long time Seven Stars employee, it saddens me to see the negative direction this company is taking. After years of committed service from many of us, we were hoping to see a wage proposal that reflects our dedication.” 

Sarah Mello, a Shop Steward from the Point Street location, said, “It’s so important to have worker power in this industry, especially when affordability is a major issue for our generation. Knowing that you can have a voice at a company that makes its money off the backs of their lowest paid workers and fight for a living wage is so empowering. To our customers and community, WE are Seven Stars, not the faceless board members who profit off of our hard work. We’re sending the message to employers that underpaying and undervaluing your employees is unacceptable and we will fight for better, for everyone!”

Grace Harvey, Shop Steward from the Broadway location, said, “This entire contract campaign has shown the power of our bargaining unit. Time and time again the company has tried to offer us low wages and divide our group, and we have stood together in solidarity wearing pins, handbilling customers, and letting the company know we will not settle for their low wage proposal. Getting the strike authorization vote last night was just another proof of our worker power, when we fight we win!”

BACKGROUND:

In June 2022, the hardworking employees of all locations of Seven Stars Bakery filed for a union election while also demanding voluntary recognition from the owners, Bill and Tracy Daugherty. With an overwhelming majority of workers signing letters supporting the cause, they won recognition by the end of the month.

Negotiations with the company began in October 2022 and went through December 2022, ending on December 22nd, 2022. 

In a unanimous vote, they voted to accept their first contract that included guaranteed wage increases, eliminated the company’s on-call policy, and secured additional benefit improvements and protections.