Coffee By Design Baristas Win First Coffee Shop Contract in Maine

Earlier this week, baristas at Coffee By Design in Portland (LIUNA 377) became the first and only locally-owned coffee shop in Maine to win a first contract. Coffee By Design’s baristas and front-of-house staff voted unanimously to ratify a contract that secures wage increases and rewards longevity, standardizes processes, procedures and expectations and establishes a Labor-Management Committee for the purposes of implementing shared goals and exploring new ways to collaborate.

“It's been an amazing feat to watch the baristas of Coffee By Design come together with teamwork, patience, dedication and solidarity," said Coffee By Design Barista and Shift Lead Jillian Mercier. "We started this process as a way to make the best coffee shop in Maine even better by ensuring its workers have the tools needed to serve the best customers in Maine. I’m proud of my co-workers for their loyal and selfless determination. We’re excited to help write this new chapter in Coffee By Design's history.”

“My priority has always been ensuring our employees have a voice and equal opportunity,” said Mary Allen Lindemann, owner of Coffee By Design. “The Laborers’ Union’s thorough approach is appreciated. I’m proud of our entire family: from our dedicated farm partners to our award-winning roastery team and loyal customers, to our retail baristas. Solidarity within our community and workplace is our foundation. I look forward to working with Local 327 as we continue toward a bright future.”

“Today’s announcement should be an immense point of pride for Coffee By Design and the workers who power its success,” said Jason J. Shedlock, Regional Organizer and Officer with LIUNA Local 327. “This process showed that when workers and management commit to actively listen to each other, challenge each others’ assumptions of what’s possible and jettison the preconceived construct of winners and losers; a pathway to shared goals becomes clear.”