Workers at 18 Starbucks outlets nationwide filed to unionize with Starbucks Workers United Thursday in a massive single-day filing.

The stores issued a letter this week to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan announcing their intentions to unionize.

“Though we work at different stores, we are united through our shared experiences and in our demand for higher wages, fair and consistent scheduling, improved benefits, and a safe and dignified workplace,” the letter reads. “We believe that forming a union is necessary to address these concerns and improve the working conditions of all Starbucks employees.”

The 18 stores are in Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Indiana, Utah, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington and New York.

The announcement comes after the coffee giant concluded its second round of negotiations with Starbucks Workers United, which represents over 400 unionized Starbucks locations in the U.S.

Starbucks and the union reported progress toward a contract.

The recent negotiations are a change of tone for Starbucks, which has openly opposed unionization at its locations since the first store joined with Starbucks Workers United in 2021. Across all the unionized locations, workers are demanding improved benefits, consistent scheduling and higher wages.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.