Workers at a Starbucks in Huntsville voted to unionize earlier this month, becoming the third Alabama store to organize.

Ten out of 17 eligible voters cast their ballot. Eight voted to join, while two voted against it.

Six baristas led the charge to bring the workers into the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), which represents over 570 union Starbucks stores, including locations in Scottsboro and Birmingham.

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“We’re absolutely thrilled to win our union election here in Huntsville,” said organizing member Briar Wolf in a statement. “We can’t wait to sit down at the bargaining table and fight for the respect and security we deserve.”

Leaders of Starbucks Workers United have been trying to negotiate a union contract with the company since 2021. But four years later, hundreds of unionized stores and thousands of unionized workers later, there is still no contract.

Starbucks and the union announced a framework to address pending legal disputes over allegations of unfair labor practices and discrimination. According to the Guardian, talks broke down in late 2024 over pay issues and because they hadn’t resolved the lawsuits.

“For months, and in many cases, over a year, union partners have been waiting for meaningful contract negotiations. Instead of engaging in earnest dialogue, the company has repeatedly delayed, walked out of sessions, and refused to meet workers’ basic demands for dignity, respect, and a voice on the job,” Wolf said.

Starbucks posted a statement on collective bargaining in 2023.

“As we work toward building a bridge to a better future for all partners, we continue to be committed to bargaining in a way that honors and respects the dignity, individuality and privacy of our partners. Each store’s contract will be negotiated separately and ratified accordingly.”

The company did not respond to an additional request for comment.