Loafers Union Formed to Empower Union Loafer Workers

On September 2, 2026, the workers of Bagel Union, The Station, and Union Loafers announced to management that we wanted to form a Union. This decision came after months of discussion, gathering support, and envisioning what could be possible. Nearly everyone approached about joining was enthusiastic to do so, resulting in 90% of eligible workers signing authorization cards. That alone should have been proof enough to management that their workers wanted collective representation, that we had the numbers to win an election outright. Many of us expected to see a voluntary recognition, a show of trust from the owners that they want to hear what we have to say, that they want to do right by us. Not just from time to time, or for certain people, or a particular crew, but all of us. That they recognize our hard work and dedication to our jobs. That they see the joy we bring to our work, our customers, and to each other. That what we do matters and we are worth investing in. 

Instead, we will soon have an election to make the bid for our union official, over a month after approaching management. All of us would have welcomed a different response from management. They could have acted out of understanding rather than fear: fear of loss of control, of being overpowered, of being outnumbered. Of course, there’s good reason to be afraid when the business cannot run without its workers. We power this operation, we are its beating heart. We are not a virus, seeking to weaken our host to prey and feed, although much anti-union propaganda would have you think so. If the business does well, so do we. If we do well, the business will too.

We did not form our union, the Loafers Union, out of spite or distaste for the company. We believe conditions can be better. We want to have a say. We want to have some control over decisions that impact our lives and work. This does not put us at odds with the business. In fact, we want the union to strengthen the business, to make it more sustainable. 

Times are uncertain, and power is shifting. The only way to weather the storm is to do it together in an organized way, to use our numbers to advocate for those among us who are vulnerable and to hold those in power accountable. By empowering ourselves, we seek to elevate the plight of all industry workers and the working class overall.

Andi Rodriguez has spent over 10 years working in restaurants, including the past 2 as a Union Loafers front of house worker. Her organizing passions include labor, food and housing security, and healthcare.

Nelle Kate MacPherson has worked in the service industry off and on for 6 years, and is passionate about advocacy for women, workers, and anyone who finds themselves on the outside of mainstream society.