On Thursday, ten employees of the Jackson Avenue store signed the letter addressed to Kevin Johnson. Starbucks Workers United posted a copy to social media on Friday. The workers from Oxford wrote that since COVID-19 the store has been through ordeal after ordeal. This includes inconsistent management and understaffed shifts, which goes well beyond what they receive. “Starbucks claims that it will protect and value its baristas, but we have not felt this in our daily efforts.” This Mississippi location is the first to announce plans for organization. Over 100 stores across the country have filed petitions to hold their own elections. Oxford, MS partners believe that there is progress anywhere, even in states where you least expect it. The Magnolia State joined the movement! @SBWUOxford pic.twitter.com/i1lKZgHgAX Buffalo Starbucks workers first began their union campaign — eventually voting in favor of a union — in 2021. The Seattle-based chain has faced a significant challenge from the growing movement. It has stated that its workers receive the best benefits and pay in the retail sector. The Mississippi location sent a letter detailing issues that went beyond the lack of staff and uncompensated work. The letter also stated that employees had to endure homophobia, racism, and transphobia “on a nearly daily basis” from customers and managers. Employees also claim that they have not been updated on the status of an internal investigation into their current manager. The letter stated that employees feel the company isn’t fulfilling its promises of support and inclusion. According to a Starbucks spokesperson, Mississippi Today understands that the chain takes the allegations in the letter very seriously and denounces discrimination of all kinds. The spokesperson stated that Starbucks is listening to its partners and learning from them. She also referred to the many ongoing union campaigns. Starbucks repeatedly stated that it doesn’t believe its workers need unions but respects their right for them to organize over the past year. Mississippi is the home of one of the chain’s first union leaders. Jaz Brisack, a University of Mississippi graduate who was also a Rhodes scholar, is known for initiating union talks with her Starbucks coworkers in Buffalo. To work with an organizer, she moved to Western New York in order to join the union campaign effort. She met the organizer while working at the unsuccessful attempt to unionize the Canton Nissan plant. Since the campaign started in Buffalo, momentum has been building. Three weeks ago, a store in Arizona was the third Starbucks to win a union vote in the United States. Mississippi is a right to work state. This means that workers do not have to pay dues nor join a union. Mississippi workers can still join a union, although it is rare. If at least 30% of workers sign a petition or sign cards declaring their desire to join a union, the National Labor Review Board will conduct an election. If the majority of workers vote to unionize, the union can be certified and bargain for their benefit.